Sleeping on the job is a big no-no in Western culture — despite the fact that it's been proven to increase concentration, improve alertness and be a great help in dealing with accidental work hangovers. Surry Hills mindfulness studio The Indigo Project knows that napping is the key to being generally better at everything, so they gifted Sydney with lunchtime nap classes. Built around research that shows a 20- to 30-minute nap is the optimum length for a siesta, classes run for 30 minutes from 1pm. If you're feeling a little off at work, and like you just can't get your brain to kick into gear, head down to Surry Hills for a boost of energy to help get you through the day.
Whether you're self-isolating or social-distancing, we bet your couch has seen more of you in the past week than it has all year long. And if you've been looking for some motivation to (temporarily) pause powering through your chocolate reserves and flipping between Netflix and COVID-19 news, here it is: free fun workouts. While you can't get to the gym or go to your bootcamp, you can work up a sweat at home without spending a dime — and without running 66 kilometres in laps around your apartment like this guy. Here are some actually fun (and free) ways to work out at home. NIKE TRAINING CLUB If you want to get fit like the pros, the Nike Training Club is the way to do it. The app offers over 190 free workouts focused on strength training, cardio, endurance and even yoga and mobility. These workouts have been designed by the Nike Master Trainers, who offer video guidance via the app. Workouts are designed for all fitness levels and heaps are body weight-only, so you don't need at-home equipment, either. The more workouts you complete, the more customised the app becomes, and it even offers daily recommendations for regular users. Basically, it's created to make you feel like you have a personal trainer in your living room. Download the free Nike Training Club app for iOS or Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--jhKVdZOJM YOGA WITH ADRIENE Yoga trainer Adriene Mishler must be doing something right — she has over 6.55 million subscribers to her YouTube channel. Her chilled-out and calming disposition make her one of the best online yogis out there. And she has a lot of videos up, with more to come, too — so you you won't run out of workouts anytime soon. Her classes are also much more specialised than your average hatha, with videos themed around yoga for almost anything and anyone. Yoga for hangovers. Yoga for writers. Yoga for chefs. For runners, self-love, cramps, couch potatoes and lower back pain — which may be particularly important in this work-from-home culture. Mishler also offers a 30-day class flow, which you can follow along with daily. Oh, and you'll also get to work out with her dog, Benjamin the blue heeler. Check out all of Yoga with Adriene's videos on her YouTube channel. SMILING MIND Odds are, you aren't just going stir crazy physically, but mentally, too. It's important now more than ever to check in with yourself, watch your stress levels and look after your mental health. One of the ways to do this from home is through guided meditation. While there are heaps of meditation and mindfulness apps out there, Smiling Mind is absolutely free. So, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a meditation guru without the monthly subscription fee — and without leaving the house. The app only suggests ten minute a day, so it isn't a huge commitment, either. Its offering is broken down into age groups, too, and even offers meditation for kids and teenagers. Download the free Smiling Mind app for iOS or Android. 30-DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE When you're staring down the barrel of a few weeks (or more) at home, it can be good to have a daily exercise goal to keep you sane. This 30-Day Squat Challenge app offers just that. The month-long workout plan focuses on — you guessed it — squats, but there isn't just one way to do this move, either. The app focuses on a whopping 13 squat variations used across six different workouts. The intensity of the workout increases by the day, so that on day 30 you'll be a squat master — and have the booty to show for it. Download the free 30 Day Squat Challenge app for iOS or Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofddKYnkxTQ&t=5s THE FITNESS MARSHALL For a fun workout at home (that'll have you smiling if not sweating), it's time to start following fitness teacher Caleb Marshall. His YouTube channel already has 2.3 million subscribers, and for good reason — his workouts are actually fun. They're more dance classes than workouts, and you'll be grooving along to pop songs. Think Work by Rhianna, Truth Hurts by Lizzo and Womanizer by Britney Spears. Marshall's dance moves are for novices, not the pros — so anyone really can join in. And most of his videos are only the length of one song (three–four minutes long), so you can even dance along as part of a quick five-minute break. Check out all of The Fitness Marshall's videos on his YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDLb3rAmTY JANE FONDA ON BEFIT If you haven't watched the famous 1982 VHS Jane Fonda's Workout, you've definitely heard of it. Selling over 17 million copies, the video workout accompanied Fonda's bestselling book of the same name. While you can't watch the OG VHS for free, you can watch a heap of Fonda's slightly-more-recent videos on the BeFit YouTube channel. These oldies-but-goodies are fun, easy and a bit of a laugh. Fonda offers a wide range of workouts, from cardio and fat burning to yoga energy booster and even a questionable dance class. So dust off your leg warmers and sweatbands and prepare for some indoor aerobics. Check out all of BeFit's Jane Fonda YouTube videos over here.
Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art boasts plenty of highlights, including its location right next to the Brisbane River. Art lovers can walk through the venue's halls, enjoy a snack at its waterside cafe and even relax on the grass while taking in the view — but they can't usually walk along a massive indoor riverbed. 'Usually' is the key word, with GOMA due to serve up just that during its huge 2019–20 summer program, Water. As part of an expansive exploration of the titular liquid substance in all of its forms between December 7, 2019 and April 26, 2020, the site will become home to Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation. Created by the Berlin-based, Danish-Icelandic artist, the huge piece will use more than 100 tonnes of rock to recreate an Icelandic stream inside the South Brisbane venue. The artwork has been described as both pre-historic or post-apocalyptic — and, to answer the question that immediately popped into your head, you can indeed walk on it. When Riverbed arrives in Brisbane, it'll be on display to the public for only the second time ever, following its debut at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Obviously, that means it'll be visiting the southern hemisphere for the first time as well. [caption id="attachment_725225" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cai Guo-Qiang. China, b. 1957. Heritage (installation view) 2013, Animals: polystyrene, gauze, resin and hide. Installed with artificial watering hole: water, sand, drip mechanism. Purchased 2013 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through and with the assistance of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © The artist. Photograph: Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA.[/caption] With more than 40 works by international and Australian artists included in the exhibition, Riverbed will have some serious company. Cai Guo-Qiang's installation Heritage will make its return to GOMA, with the piece inspired by Stradbroke Island, featuring more than 40 life-size animals drinking around a waterhole, and appearing at Water in a new arrangement. Queensland artist Judy Watson will also create a major new work with a local theme, not only drawing upon on the cultural memory of water, but reflecting upon the obvious nearby body — the adjacent Maiwar, or Brisbane river. And if you're fond of art that you can interact with and learning about the biggest threat facing humanity — and climbing — then keep an eye out for William Forsythe's The Fact of Matter, which is comprised of suspended gymnastic rings. As visitors make their way through the space, they're asked to contemplate the weight and strength of their body, the impact it has on the earth, and the power we can exert if we all come together to combat climate change. Expect topical pieces all round, with pondering the importance of water one of the exhibition's main aims. Overall, "the artworks featured in Water will make connections with many of the major environmental and social challenges faced by the world today," explains Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. Water exhibits at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Images: Olafur Eliasson. Denmark, b.1967. Riverbed 2014 (detail). Site specific installation. Pictured: The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark. Photograph: Iwan Baan. William Forsythe. America, b.1949. The Fact of Matter 2009. Site-specific installation comprising gym rings, fabric straps, gym mat and truss system. Dimensions variable. Pictured: Installation view, William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, 2018-19. Image courtesy the artist. Photograph: Liza Voll. © William Forsythe.
It happens all the time in movies and TV shows: someone stays in a swanky hotel in a gorgeously sunny locale, then spends their time lazing by the pool, swimming up to the bar for mid-splash sips and, when they're out of the water, walking straight down to the beach. It's now happening at the Gold Coast's newest addition, too, with The Langham opening its third Australian site in the Queensland getaway spot. Welcoming in holidaymakers since Thursday, June 23 — and making its home inside the Jewel towers between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach — The Langham Gold Coast joins the brand's existing Australian hotels in Sydney and Melbourne. It's also part of a worldwide portfolio that dates back to 1865 in London. But, as first revealed back in May, the new five-star venue's two big drawcards are all about the water, drinks, sand and surf: direct beachfront access, a rarity for new towering places to stay in the tourist destination; and a pool bar you can swim up to while still staring at that ocean view. Being able to mosey directly from the hotel to the beach — without having to cross any roads — is obviously as straightforward as it sounds. As for the pool bar, it's serving up light snacks, as well as champagne, rosé and spritzes. There are low-alcohol cocktails, too, to either sip in the water or on one of the 60 loungers around the edge. Also included among The Langham Gold Coast's range of food and beverage venues: Palm Court, a 74-seater that goes big on pastries and pool views, with signature cocktail service from 4pm. Here, you can tuck into an 11-option afternoon tea daily, or pair drinks with oysters, sesame-crusted fried salmon and camembert, truffle fries, and caviar with waffle-cut chips by night (the latter if you're feeling particularly decadent). Or, there's all-day dining spot Akoya, a casual eatery serving meat, fish and poultry over cocktails, as well as the requisite seaside vistas. For lunch, the menu switches between set options from Monday–Wednesday and a buffet from Thursday–Saturday, and also includes champagne brunches on Sundays. Seating 235 inside and out, it also goes heavy on seafood for dinner. For drinks and small bites, The Langham Gold Coast's lobby bar is your destination. On the beach, there's 26 & Sunny, too, which does fish and chip katsu sandos, Korean barbecue chicken burgers, halloumi fries, coffees, shakes and other casual fare. And, still in the works is Coral Moon, another openair bar that'll seat 50, and hero cocktails made with Asian spirits and Aussie herbs and botanicals grown onsite. Food-wise, it'll serve up crispy pork belly mantou, prawns with XO sauce and peking duck pancakes. Due to open in spring, T'ang Court will focus on Cantonese dishes — think: peking duck again, this time with Cantonese-style barbecued pork; crispy salty chicken; and baked seafood rice that's paired cream sauce and served in crab shell. It'll also give the hotel a sister venue to the brand's Michelin-starred restaurants overseas. As for actually slumbering between all that swimming, drinking and eating, the hotel has 17 different types of rooms and suites across its 339 places to stay. They're decked out in coastal hues, and with a huge emphasis on luxury. Gorgeous sea views are a big feature, but if you find yourself in a room on the other side of the building, you'll be peering out over the Gold Coast hinterland instead. Between zipping into the waves and knocking back beverages, guests will soon be able to hit up Chuan Spa, The Langham's wellness centre. There, traditional Chinese medicine will guide the treatment selection — and leaving you feeling blissed out is the number-one aim. A health club with a gym, plus yoga, pilates and meditation sessions are all part of the onsite offering as well, and — as the pool bar makes plain — places to swim besides the ocean. There's two pools, in fact, one indoors and the other outdoors. You'll need to be outside for those lagoon-style swim-up drinks, though. Find The Langham Gold Coast at 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise. For more information or to make a booking, head to the hotel's website.
After a ten-month forced hiatus (and a long, hard push by the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce), the Pyrmont Growers Market is back and open for business every fourth Saturday of the month. Up until April last year, the market had been run by Fairfax for 18 years; when they announced its closure, there was much sadness among both the community and the producers. So it's easy to imagine the enthusiasm with which the growers have returned to the Saturday morning market once more. There's Sam from Grima's Farm Fresh Produce, who's been coming to the Pyrmont Growers Markets from his western Sydney farm since the market first launched. There's Long Paddock Eggs, who bring the eggs their free-range chooks laid just the night before up from Canberra. Then there's Pino, who is selling his Italian smallgoods at the market as his Kogarah shop undergoes renovations after a fire on Christmas Eve. As well as an expansive range of fresh produce, cheese and artisan food products, you'll also find market regulars like Black Star Pastry, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Pepe Saya, Sonoma and Little Marionette Coffee. The market is open on the fourth Saturday of each month from 7.30am till noon.
Calling all French film fans: for the whopping 34th year, Australia's Alliance Française French Film Festival is screening a feast of flicks from the other side of the world. Hitting Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton St, Chauvel Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne in Sydney from Tuesday, March 7–Wednesday, April 5, this year's cinematic celebration will screen 39 movies throughout March and April — and the full program is something special. AFFFF's 2023 opening-night pick: Masquerade, spinning a tale of glitz, glamour and the Côte d'Azur's far-less-glossy underbelly under La Belle Époque's director Nicolas Bedos' guidance — and with Pierre Niney (Yves Saint Laurent) and Isabelle Adjani (The World Is Yours) among his stars. As a bookend on closing night, it's joined by Freestyle, which takes to the road with Benjamin Voisin (Lost Illusions) and Marina Foïs (Stella in Love), and promises to end the fest as memorably as it begins. In-between, must-sees include Saint Omer, with documentarian Alice Diop drawing from true events to craft a drama about a young Parisian journalist and novelist attending murder trial, then wading through the complexities it surfaces within her own family history; One Fine Morning, the latest film by Bergman Island's Mia Hansen-Løve, this time a family drama starring Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future); and The Innocent, as written by, directed by and starring Louis Garrel (A Faithful Man), based on his own experiences, and also featuring Noémie Merlant (Tár). There's also Final Cut, a French remake of Japanese cult hit One Cut of the Dead from The Artist director Michel Hazanavicius, starring Romain Duris (Eiffel); Winter Boy, the new film from Sorry Angel's Christophe Honoré, an autobiographical drama focusing on 17-year-old Lucas (newcomer Paul Kircher); Brother and Sister, with Marion Cotillard (Annette) playing a stage actor and sibling to Melvil Poupaud (Summer of 85); and Other People's Children, a Virginie Efira (Benedetta)-led effort about being a stepmother that's also inspired by director Rebecca Zlotowski's (Planetarium) own life. Two Quentin Dupieux films sit on the program, too, with the director of Rubber and Deerskin adding both Incredible but True and Smoking Causes Coughing to the lineup — and a sense of humour that only he possesses. Plus, there's award-winner Playground, which focuses on a seven-year-old girl; On the Wandering Paths, which brings Sylvain Tesson's novel to the screen so swiftly after The Velvet Queen also turned his work into cinema (including at AFFFF 2022); and The Origin of Evil, an account of a dysfunctional family that's one of three AFFFF 2023 movies to star Full Time's Laure Calamy. This year's focus is firmly on the new over the classic, but when it comes to looking backwards, 1988 French box-office smash The Big Blue does the honours. The full list of 2023 AFFFF titles goes on, as cinephiles have come to not just expect but thoroughly enjoy from a fest that's the largest celebration of French film outside of France.
As we enter holiday mode, it's time to celebrate with our nearest and dearest. But entertaining can be stressful — and we can't all be master cocktail makers. Luckily, Archie Rose has made it easy for us to enjoy a delicious cocktail without needing to do any heavy lifting, thanks to its range of limited-edition bottled cocktails that bring the bar to you. Whether you want a refreshing beverage on a hot summer's day or a classy nightcap to impress guests at your next dinner party, these pre-made cocktails are a sure thing. And even though the drinks are already taken care of, you can take your serve to the next level with our picks of easy (but effective) garnishes that will make anyone look like a master bartender. THE MOOD: Bright and summery THE SERVE: Salted Mango Spritz with sparkling wine and dehydrated mango For something bright and fresh, grab a bottle of the limited-release Salted Mango Spritz. This cocktail is summer in a bottle, and features Archie Rose Native Botanical vodka, tropical mango, salted caramel and chamomile. This salty sweet beverage is impressive enough when served straight from the fridge neat. However, you can really up your game with a couple of additions. Balance out the sweetness — and add a bit of sparkle — by topping up your glass with a splash of champagne or sparkling wine. Finally, add a slice of dehydrated mango as a garnish for an extra special touch. THE MOOD: Cool and refreshing THE SERVE: Cucumber Collins with elderflower tonic and a ribbon of cucumber If you're after something refreshing and aromatic to enjoy poolside, the Cucumber Collins is a perfect addition to any summer's day. It features juniper notes from Archie Rose's Bone Dry Gin, as well as accents of cucumber and jasmine. This cocktail will impress any guest for your end-of-year entertaining, especially with a couple of simple tweaks. Sure, you could serve it neat, but we recommend you jazz it up with soda or tonic water — try Fever-Tree elderflower for an extra hint of sweetness. Finally, add a cucumber ribbon (simply by taking a peeler to a cucumber) to enhance the flavours in the serve. THE MOOD: Smooth and sexy THE SERVE: Red Centre Negroni with pink grapefruit tonic There's nothing like a negroni on the rocks to kick-start an evening. This bottled version is from the Archie Rose Native Australian range celebrates local ingredients and adds a homegrown twist to the classic. This all-Australian negroni features gin with sweet vermouth by Victorian-based maker Maidenii, and Økar Island Bitter sourced from South Australia's Applewood Distillery. With notes of native riberry and strawberry gum, this cocktail is bursting with flavour. To take it to the next level, top with soda water, sparkling wine or Fentimans pink grapefruit tonic water. Garnish with a twist of grapefruit, a slice of orange, or a sprig of rosemary to compliment those native flavours. THE MOOD: A classy nightcap THE SERVE: Caperberry Martini garnished with a rosemary-speared olive For a classy nightcap to impress your guests, try a Caperberry Martini. This twist on the classic is crafted using Bone Dry Gin, Belsazar dry vermouth, sake and caperberry. Keep your bottle in the freezer and serve neat, or over ice if that's your thing. Or, you could enhance the subtle savoury flavours with a garnish to really bring the bar into your home. A classic Sicilian olive speared in a sprig of rosemary is a great addition for some fragrance. Or keep it simple with a whole-stemmed caperberry. If you really want to impress, then make a lemon twist with a knife or a peeler and wipe around the rim of the glass before serving to add an aroma of citrus. Discover Archie Rose's full range of pre-bottled cocktails at the website.
Introducing Mama's Buoi, a home-style Vietnamese restaurant inspired by the fresh and fragrant meals that Vietnamese mums cook for their families.... Sigh. If only all our mums could cook this well (sorry mum). The interior design perfectly captures the beauty of 'Nam. The distressed and paint-chipped decor, mismatched chairs and colourful tins and tiles are rich in Old World charm, while the heady scents of herbs, chilli and fish take you straight to the streets of Saigon. Beat the heat with a refreshing rice beer, there's 333 ($8) and Beer Hanoi ($8) or try the luscious Vietnamese caipirinha made with lime and palm sugar sipped through a hollow lemongrass stalk. For starters you can't go past the Hanoi-style fried spring rolls ($7) or the freshly rolled rice paper rolls with pork and crackling ($8) served with nuoc mam dipping sauce. Vietnamese cooking is touted as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, which seems a good enough excuse to order a truckload. The feasting starts with a plate of mixed skewers ($16). It's a generous platter of eight marinated and charred chicken, pork, beef and Vietnamese sausage skewers accompanied by an abundance of iceberg lettuce, fresh herbs, pickled carrot, daikon and nuoc mam sauce. And you thought Australians knew how to BBQ? A lemongrass chicken curry on the bone ($15) is meltingly soft, rich and hearty; it's served with slices of soft French baguette — a nod to their French colonial history. The whole crispy market fish with chilli lime dressing and crunchy fried shallots ($29) is sensational, the crispiness extends inside and out and it's garnished with just the right amount of red and green chilli to ensure it has punch, kick and a face slap. For dessert, who in their right minds could say no to the black sesame coated taro doughnuts ($10) stuffed with red bean jam and served with condensed milk ice cream? Doughn't fight it. Mama will be popping out Buoi's all over Sydney in the coming months, with a Crows Nest branch to open in a matter of weeks and another in Darlinghurst early next year. In the Surry Hills shopfront, you'll find a question beautifully emblazoned on the wall: "Con có th??ng m? không?" or "Do you love me?" Well I, for one, am not ashamed to say it; I love you Mama!
A mega-venue has opened in the heart of Sydney's Circular Quay, adding four unique venues to the harbourside CBD suburb. The new Hinchcliff House has overtaken the heritage Hinchcliff Wool Store, a huge sandstone structure dating back to the 1860's that has been restored and revived as part of the ever-evolving Quay Quarter. Two of the Hinchcliff House's four venues are now open to the public, with the other two set to follow suit in May. Grana, located on the ground floor of the former wool store, is an all-day Italian restaurant and bakery, while Apollonia is a low-light cocktail bar in the venue's lower ground. Head to Grana early for a taste of its breakfast treats. Think blue swimmer crab omelette ($23) or a classic bacon and egg roll on schiacciata with chilli mayo and a hash brown ($18), alongside a selection of breakfast cocktails. All of Grana's bread is made at its onsite mill, providing fresh morning pastries, or ideal starters come dinner. Once breakfast is finished, turn your attention to Grana's standard menu. On the bread and dairy section, sourdough is served alongside a rich macadamia butter ($4 per person) and cheese is wrapped in thin and flaky house-made focaccia ($16). While it would be easy to fill up on bread, make sure you leave room for the cauliflower cotoletta ($24) or market fish tartar with trout roe ($26). Of course, a healthy selection of pasta is available including ricotta and pumpkin occhi, swimming in a lemon balm and served with pickled pumpkin ($25), or a seaweed gigli paired with Moreton Bay bug ($34). All four of the venues at Hinchcliff House are the creation of prolific New Zealand restauranteur Scott Brown (Amano) alongside the team at House Made Hospitality. Brown has been running restaurants across the Tasman for over a decade, founding Auckland's Hipgroup in 2004, responsible for venues like seasonal Spanish restaurant Alma. Images: Jiwon Kim
Start packing that suitcase and plotting your annual leave, because there's a new Aussie beachside resort to add to your bucket list. And this one's a little different to most. Making its home amongst natural bushland at NSW's Cabarita Beach, The Hideaway is a boutique escape offering guests a rare chance to go glamping by the sea. Here, you can fall asleep and wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, just metres from your pillow. Doesn't that sound like a total treat? The resort features three different styles of luxury bell tent, all kitted out with comfy Koala beds, soft furnishings and bath towels, charging sockets, floor rugs, proper lighting and tripod fans for those balmier evenings. In addition to the luxe suites, the unique resort boasts modern bathrooms and communal entertaining spaces, nestled cleverly within repurposed shipping containers. You'll also find plenty of open green space throughout, with native plant life lining the pathways and open fire pits primed for cosy communal gatherings in the cooler months. [caption id="attachment_747560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristy Mason Photography[/caption] And when it comes to entertainment, there's no shortage. The Hideaway's carefully located near a world-class surf break, with opportunities for swimming, whale watching, hiking, bush walking and more right at your fingertips. Meanwhile, the nearby coastal town of Cabarita boasts its own award-winning restaurant, Paper Daisy, along with a solid offering of shops, cafes and eateries, all within strolling distance. Of course, the striking views of the Border Ranges, Mt Warning and that glistening ocean should keep you pretty occupied as well. Plus, if you need something to sweeten the deal, Cabarita Beach was named the best beach in Australia by Tourism Australia's Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer AM. The beach is located a two-hour drive south of Brissie and a nine hours north from Sydney (or a short flight to Gold Coast Airport and 30-minute drive). Find The Hideaway at 2-6 Tweed Coast Rd, Corner of Tweed Coast Road and Cypress Avenue, Cabarita Beach. Prices start from $189 a night. Images: Kristy Mason Photography Updated: December 20, 2019.
Ramblin' Rascal Tavern was always going to be a small bar with an advantage. Originally the brainchild of Charlie Lehmann, Dardan Shervashidze and Sebastian 'Cosmo' Soto (alumni of The Baxter Inn and the now-closed Frankie's Pizza), Rascal certainly boasts a feel reminiscent of other beloved drinking holes. This time things have moved uptown with this basement bar establishing itself in the old Laugh Garage on Park Street. The result? A bar of a very familiar vibe: a dimly lit, fresh-juice-squeezing watering hole, with recognisably boisterous bartenders. Loyalty shows in the all-Australian beer list, accompanied by a no-fuss but modern assortment of wines featuring a couple of whites, a couple of reds, a prosecco and a natural orange wine. There's a $6 Tinnie for the battlers (the brand changing to suit the mood of each week). And the cocktail list is just as unpretentious — its six house cocktails ($23 each) champion some great quality spirits without messing with them too much. [caption id="attachment_785468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ramblin' Rascal Tavern[/caption] The decor is a throwback to childhood nostalgia — chalkboard walls in the bathrooms beckon all those drunken Picasso moments. The evening's soundtrack echoes a country twang typical of Shady Pines or Baxter's. But stay late enough and the beat will drop. The mood of the bar transforms until tables have been shifted out. of the way and suddenly you are cutting shapes with the bartenders to the likes of Nelly and Shaggy. If you're after a spot to eat, you're in luck. The bar has teamed up with Surry Hills favourites Butter to ensure you can have a box of fried chicken or a cheesy chicken burger delivered right to the bar. On a busy night, it might take a little longer to get to you than an in-house kitchen, but that just gives you more time to sample the drinks menu. True, in recent years Sydney has grown somewhat spoilt with trendy small bars. And perhaps it is becoming more difficult to stand out from the crowd. But the Ramblin' Rascal Tavern provides a lovable underground dive bar in the heart of the city, without resorting to too many theatrics and gimmicks. And for that, we thank it. Updated Tuesday, March 21, 2022. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
Backed by sand dunes and bushland that conceal the streets and buildings beyond, One Mile Beach feels more remote than it actually is. Just ten kilometres from the Port Stephens town centre, One Mile is a popular destination in the warmer months for beachgoers, particularly those staying at nearby holiday parks. But even when the weather is less than favourable for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, the beach is worth a look in for an easy stroll along the sand. Start at the southern end and walk towards Samurai Point — and be sure to keep an eye out for sea life as you walk. Beyond the point is Samurai Beach, a clothing-optional spot, which also has free campground accessible via 4WD. Image: Destination NSW
The term 'hotel bar' is set to take on a whole new meaning when Estate opens within the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach on Friday, March 13. The four-in-one venue boasts a seafood-focused dining room, a tropical terrace bar, a dedicated taqueria and even a hidden karaoke room. The multimillion-dollar refurbishment is headed by Chef (and Creative Director) Matthew Butcher, who has worked alongside a few of the culinary greats — including big names like Gordon Ramsay and Vue de Monde's Shannon Bennett. Butcher is joined by Head Chef Scott Eddington, who has clocked time with Rene Redzeppi at Noma, as well as at Australian favourites A1 Canteen, Belle's Hot Chicken and Melbourne's Mamasita. [caption id="attachment_764320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lobster roll[/caption] Start off at the Terrace, an outdoor bar giving off Bali beach club vibes. Think beanbags, heaps of tropical palms and a projector screening sunset films and live sporting events. Bar snacks — such as lobster rolls, waffle fries and puffed pork with guacamole — are served out of a vintage Airstream trailer alongside locally made beers and wines. Meanwhile, over at the dining room — dubbed Kitchen — expect an ocean-themed fit-out that reflects the menu's focus on fresh, local seafood. Whole Moreton Bay bugs with green chilli butter, scampi risotto with caviar and salmon crudo with finger lime all make the regularly changing menu, as do tableside guacamole, lobster rolls and smoked mussels. For dessert, dig into Cherry Ripe bombe alaska or white chocolate s'mores. [caption id="attachment_764319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Taqueria[/caption] In the Taqueria, there are neon lights, orange furnishings and bright patterns aplenty. The main offering here is the soft-shell tacos, which come in five varieties: pork belly with tamarind glaze, grilled fish with chipotle mayo spicy tofu, chorizo and barbecue chicken with tomatillo salsa. Otherwise, you can tuck into a big ol' bowl of vegan nachos. There are heaps of margaritas and micheladas going around, too — and a 25-strong tequila list is also available. Also hidden within the premises is Confessional, a private karaoke room that can (and should) be reserved for late-night revelry. Views of the Coogee coastline surround the venue and it's set up to fully embrace in those views —the courtyard even has three-step bleachers installed, from which punters can look out over the the ocean. Estate will be run separately from the hotel, though nothing is stopping you from turning your night out into a new excuse for a staycation. Find Estate within the Crowne Plaza at 242 Arden Street, Coogee from Friday, March 13. Terrace is open 4–10pm Monday–Thursday and 12–10pm Friday–Sunday; Kitchen is open 5pm–late Monday–Thursday and 12pm–late Friday–Sunday; and Taqueria is open 12pm–late daily.
The North Shore's after-dark credentials have been further bolstered with the arrival of Loom Lounge, a sleek listening lounge that's landed in Crows Nest. Brought to life by the teams behind Li'l Darlin (with which it shares its home) and Sydney party-starters Sultry & Sample, Loom Lounge promises an atmospheric blend of curated music, a snappy, snacky menu and a whole lot of mood lighting designed to shape the experience from start to finish. The venue's programming is overseen by Sultry & Sample and features a lineup of DJs, selectors and live musicians there to set the atmosphere, rather than dominate it. The music unfolds as the night does, becoming a carefully woven part of the experience that encourages conversation and connection over chaos. Drinks lean into familiar flavours with a twist here and there — think Aperol margaritas, pinot noir negronis and a cola-infused riff on an espresso martini. Half of the twelve-strong wine list is available by the glass, with drops sourced from three continents. You can pair your pour with a selection from a tight food menu that's built for sharing and slow grazing, with options ranging from guac and chips or truffle fries to duck pancakes, chicken tacos and pizettas in flavours like margherita, chorizo and truffle and cheese. Almost all dishes sit between $9–$19, making it an easy go-to for a late-night snack and sip or a casual date night. The space, designed by Obi Kyei, favours texture over flash, featuring velvet seating, sculptural lighting and a patchworked textile installation made from salvaged fabric offcuts. It's soft, low-lit and deliberately layered, designed to weave music, people and mood into a night that unfolds at its own pace. Images: Supplied.
There's no wrong way to do a European holiday. But if you ask us, it's the experiences that really make a trip special. A boat cruise along Sorrento's coastline, a dip in Budapest's outdoor baths, or a bike ride through the French countryside to Monet's garden – these are the moments that you'll remember long after you return home. With our dedicated travel platform, Concrete Playground Trips, it's never been easier to plan your dream Euro adventure. So we've rounded up eight of the best bookable activities across some of Europe's most underrated destinations, all made even better thanks to an exclusive 10% discount for Visa cardholders. Just lock in your pick, pay with your Visa and watch the savings roll in. From food and wellness to culture and history, here are the top experiences to add to your itinerary.
In the ever-dynamic arms race to create Sydney's best sandwich, it's not easy to make a product that sticks out against so much delicious competition. But Chandni and Ankit, the wife-and-husband co-owners of Pyrmont's newly opened Eat Ozzo, have come up with something special. Ask any restauranter: the secret to sandwiches is the bread. So why opt for another crunchy cracked sourdough or doughy milk toast when you can have your sandwich in 48-hour fermented Neopolitan bread instead? It all started with an aha moment on a trip to Italy, where the duo first bit into Neopolitan pizza bread. After months of research into breadmaking, the couple took a secondhand oven to Pyrmont's Pirrama Park to give away sandwiches for free in search of feedback. Once they decided they were onto something, they committed to the idea full time. The Ozzo bread goes through a meticulous preparation process, with 48 hours of hot and cold fermentation to reduce the weight in the bread and improve its impact on gut health. Bread is baked fresh to order, and you'll find a multicultural mix of fillings to choose from. The Porchetta Fiasco, for example, features marinated crispy pork belly, 'nduja, herb gremolata, spicy eggplant and braised greens. While the Bresaola Affair is packed with Korean wagyu bresaola, whipped ricotta, smoked eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers and rocket. All ingredients are sourced from local suppliers, including butter and cream from Pepe Saya, cheese from Marrickville's Vanella and Haberfield's Paesanella and pistachio butter from Gelato Messina. There's nothing fried on the menu, and artificial additives are also avoided. You can opt for breakfast fillings before 11am, with bacon and egg, smashed avo and Persian feta among the options. And if the sandwiches look too sizeable to handle, go for a smaller Junior Ozzo instead, which can come with za'atar, Pepe Saya Butter, Messina hazlenut paste, forest berries and more. The menu features nods to tradition, too, with eight-inch folded pizzinos (inspired by Naples' famed street food pizza al portafoglio) available during the day, and 13-inch 'neo-Neopolitan' pizzas available after dark. On the drinks front, you'll find Five Senses coffee, as well as cold drinks like strawberry matcha and virgin mojitos all day long. For a sweeter finish — get a slice of cake to round out your meal. Find Eat Ozzo at Level G/80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont — open from 7am–7pm Sunday and Monday, and 7am–11pm Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, visit the venue's website.
There's only one thing that's wrong with The Soul Trembles, the Chiharu Shiota exhibition that's now sprawling across the entire ground floor of Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art until Monday, October 3: it isn't happening in Tokyo, at an art museum towering 53 levels above the busy streets, and against the inimitable backdrop that is the Japanese capital's twinkling skyline. That isn't a criticism of GOMA, its South Bank berth next to the Brisbane River, or the otherworldly display now gracing its halls and walls. But when this enchanting and entrancing Shiota showcase first debuted back in 2019, it did so in quite the striking Tokyo spot. The background now differs, but the art itself remains just as impressive — and as eager to live up to the exhibition's name. Japan-born, Berlin-based artist Shiota crafts works that force everyone who sees them to take in their place in the world, all while musing on their own inner worlds in the process. Her art skews existential in both a big and an intimate sense. The macro and micro alike lingers piece by piece, and through The Soul Trembles as a whole. That's all there in the masses of string, the wall of miniatures and the detached body parts. It also dwells in the dangling suitcases and the compilation of window frames, and in the paper cascading upwards — aka the GOMA exhibition's major new commission. [caption id="attachment_859135" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloë Callistemon[/caption] Indeed, when you peer at Shiota's mazes of inky-black wool, including when they're woven around chairs and pianos, it's impossible not to think about infinity, mortality, obliteration, the darkness that awaits us all, the fragility of life and the fact that all things eventually turn to ash. When you take in her labyrinths of blood-red yarn instead, it's equally difficult not to ponder the crimson stuff pumping through our veins, all that makes our bodies work and function, and the reality that being alive is so physically complex, emotionally tangled and tangibly fragile. Also inescapable: that, just as one exhibition after the next proves in any gallery's ongoing calendar, humanity's very existence is oh-so-fleeting. Comprised of over 100 works from across 25 years of Shiota's career, and marking her largest exhibition to-date, The Soul Trembles is unsurprisingly a deeply gorgeous and wondrous showcase — and a deeply contemplative one. It's a ruminative artistic landscape to get lost in, and to think about who you really are and what you want out of life while you're standing within it. For Brisbanites now eager to do exactly that — plus interstate art-lovers keen to make the trip north to see the Australian-exclusive exhibition — here are eight pieces to look out for. [caption id="attachment_859136" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloë Callistemon[/caption] UNCERTAIN JOURNEY Every exhibition that settles into GOMA makes a splash in its main gallery hallway. The venue's presentations fill plenty of its other spaces, but the South Bank spot loves a bold entrance. When Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection was on display, a Skywhale-like balloon did the honours. During David Lynch: Between Two Worlds, a mini cinema inside a cube sat in the foyer, offering attendees a complication of music clips from his movies. Yayoi Kusama: Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow boasted yellow polka-dotted orbs, while Water featured suspended rings that you could climb through. At The Soul Trembles, Shiota's Uncertain Journey is no less spectacular — or memorable. Dating back to 2016, it features a series of metallic frames shaped like boats, all strung together by red thread. They're linked in a giant woven mass that spreads from wall to wall, making a wool canopy for a ceiling, and includes cavernous tunnels within the flame-hued strands. As far as welcoming you into Shiota's mindset, and making sure you're in the right headspace yourself, it's a perfect opening piece. Wanting to simply stand and stare comes with the territory. [caption id="attachment_859137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloë Callistemon[/caption] WHERE ARE WE GOING? Much about The Soul Trembles deals in contrasts: life and death, big and small, red and black, and beginnings and endings. But this is also an exhibition about the here and now, as well as the journeys that life takes us on from one extreme to another. That idea is plain in many of the artwork names, such as the aforementioned Uncertain Journey and now Where Are We Going?. And, in both, it's evident in Shiota's frequent use of vessel-shaped structures — all either encased in or hanging via threads. Dangling its wire boats from the ceiling, Where Are We Going? uses a monochrome colour scheme — letting the white wool of the ships' bodies clash with the black rope suspending them in mid-air. The installation sits just inside a doorway, but expect that passage to be clogged; just try not to stop immediately as soon as you lock eyes on the piece. That's a fitting reaction that speaks volumes about what strikes us in life, and where existence's bottlenecks reside. Still, thanks to its size and scale, you'll also want to take a minute to walk around Where Are We Going? as well. [caption id="attachment_859138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Natasha Harth[/caption] IN SILENCE When Shiota was nine years old, the house next door to her home burned down. The following morning, a piano remained — scorched black, and drawing Shiota in with both its appearance and its quiet. In Silence responds to that event, and to the memory of it that still lingers. It muses on the things that tangibly remain, as well as those that haunt without a physical presence. It's also one of The Soul Trembles' most vivid sights. Visitors to GOMA have to walk through a few rooms to get to In Silence, which dates back to 2008. In the process, you'll take in installations, photos, paintings and videos first. But when this piece appears, filling a room with black thread — and wrapping up a piano, as well as chairs ready for an invisible audience, within all those fibres — it's as arresting as the exhibition gets. While it screams with physicality, it's also a ghostly vision. And, among everything else, its interplay of light and shadows is ethereal. [caption id="attachment_859134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloë Callistemon[/caption] REFLECTION OF SPACE AND TIME The Soul Trembles isn't focused on fashion, but it does feature two eye-catching dresses in one black cube. Like much within the exhibition, they're trapped within Shiota's beloved black yarn. A mirror also sits in the centre of the steel frame, dividing the space. Accordingly, as well as the items themselves, viewers also spy their reflections — and the setup is designed to make you merge the real and the illusory in your mind. It isn't by accident that, with her ever-present threads, Shiota covers an object that's already designed as a covering. With her mirrors, she also muddies the lines between what exists to touch — not that GOMA visitors can — and what only exists to the eye. A piece about skins and illusions, Reflection of Space and Time thinks big, as its name makes clear. It's a compact work compared to Shiota's installations, confined as it is to its cube, but it's also both stunning and weighty. [caption id="attachment_859140" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Natasha Harth[/caption] INSIDE — OUTSIDE Eyes may be the windows to the soul — one that trembles, or not — but windows themselves are revelatory in Inside — Outside. This installation nods to Shiota's adopted home of Berlin, which she moved to in 1996. Attached together to form a barrier that fences off one corner, this piece takes inspiration from one of the German capital's most infamous structures: the Berlin Wall, obviously. Shiota has crafted Inside — Outside out of discarded Berlin windows, in fact, all gathered from construction sites in the mid-2000s when the city was being redeveloped extensively. The structure sits adjacent to images of the city, with the combination sparking thoughts about separation, destruction and renewal, boundaries, and open and closed-off spaces. It's another work that makes gorgeous use of light, too. [caption id="attachment_859139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Natasha Harth[/caption] CONNECTING SMALL MEMORIES When wool stretches across vast hallways and fills rooms, The Soul Trembles is immense. It can be tiny, too, though. That said, the feeling that emanates when you see Connecting Small Memories and its array of miniatures is definitely voluminous. Big things can make an impact and leave an imprint, as plenty of Shiota's works do — and their minuscule counterparts can as well, including when arranged together along an entire wall. It features items you won't see elsewhere in GOMA — ironing boards, rocking horses, tables, beds, chests of drawers, curtains, cupboards and more, all looking like something out of Honey I Shrunk the Kids — but Connecting Small Memories also resembles The Soul Trembles made pocket-sized. Red threads link its pieces, doing what the artwork's moniker promises. [caption id="attachment_859132" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloë Callistemon[/caption] A QUESTION OF SPACE AND TIME The Soul Trembles comes to Brisbane from Japan, where Shiota was born. It features a piece made about Berlin, where she has lived for decades. The exhibition also has a strong and vivid link to Australia, too, in the form of newly commissioned work A Question of Space and Time. Shiota spent part of the 90s Down Under, studying at the Canberra School of Art from 1993–94 and travelling — including visit Uluru, which this installation contemplates. Yes, string is once again a feature. Strands of black rope hang from the ceiling, taking up an entire room. Within it, items of found furniture sit within the middle. A Question of Space and Time then tops that desk and chair with hundreds of suspended pieces of ordinary 80gsm paper, all leaping upwards like someone has just thrown an entire ream into the air. The result: a work that's mysterious and mesmerising, and another piece that's worth viewing from multiple angles. [caption id="attachment_859141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Natasha Harth[/caption] ACCUMULATION — SEARCHING FOR A DESTINATION If you're a frequent GOMA attendee, you'll remember what once filled the gallery where Accumulation — Searching for a Destination now hangs. Over the summer of 2019–20, the room was piled with 100 tonnes of rocks, recreating an Icelandic stream. That Olafur Eliasson piece was phenomenal. So is the unrelated installation that now calls the same space home. They feel like mirror images: Accumulation slopes from left to right, affixed to the roof, where Riverbed reached right to left from the floor up. Experiencing both, even three years apart, is something special. Accumulation suspends hundreds of suitcases on red thread, all jostling in the air. This isn't a new work, and it wasn't a response to the pandemic and the barriers to travel it sparked, but it's easy to muse on both while standing in front of it. This is another of The Soul Trembles' pieces about journeys, of course, and also about valuing minutiae. What is a suitcase if not a receptacle for all we see fit to keep with us when we venture away from home, and a physical item to which we attach our fondest travel memories? Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles displays at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from Saturday, June 18–Monday, October 3, 2022. For further details, visit the GOMA website. Images: installation views: Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2022 © Chiharu Shiota. Photography: Natasha Harth / Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA.
Attenzione! Once a year, Australia's cinema screens swap their usual fare for a trip to Italy. That time is almost upon us for 2024. Didn't spend your winter in Europe? Don't have a getaway to the other side of the world planned any time soon? Keen to see an Italian box-office smash without leaving the country? Haven't caught The Godfather Part II on a big screen before? Eager to check out Ralph Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) and Stanley Tucci (Citadel) as Cardinals electing a new Pope? The Italian Film Festival has you covered. For a month between Wednesday, September 18–Wednesday, October 23, the fest will play a range of picture palaces in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Byron Bay and Ballina, Adelaide and Perth — with dates varying per city. Whichever spot you call home, a diverse lineup of Italian cinema will flicker through the projectors, led by opening night's Gloria!. If the name Gloria always gets the song of the same moniker stuck in your head, that's fitting: this movie is directed and co-written by a singer. Margherita Vicario didn't give the world the famous tune, but she is the driving force behind this feature about a maid at a refuge in Venice. Vicario is also travelling to Australia for the Italian Film Festival, attending the opening-night festivities in Sydney and Melbourne. Gloria! is just one of the fest's high-profile picks in showcase slots. The Great Beauty, Youth and The New Pope filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino's latest is playing as the festival's centrepiece film, with Parthenope following a woman in Naples with the same title as the mythical siren that the city was once named after — and co-starring Gary Oldman (Slow Horses). Then, closing out the fest is Conclave, which is where Fiennes and Tucci come in (plus Killers of the Flower Moon's John Lithgow and Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini, too) for papal thrills. The aforementioned cinema hit on Italian shores? That'd be post World War II-set melodrama There's Still Tomorrow, aka 2024's Sydney Film Festival Prize-winner. It follows a wife and mother who dreams of a different future, with actor Paola Cortellesi (Petra, Don't Stop Me Now) both starring and making her directorial debut. And Francis Ford Coppola's (Megalopolis) masterpiece The Godfather Part II is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the festival, in one of two throwback flicks. The other: Bread and Tulips, which opened the first-ever Italian Film Festival back in 2000. Other standouts include Marcello Mio, with Catherine Deneuve (The President's Wife) and Chiara Mastroianni (Monsieur Spade) playing versions of themselves in a comedy that explores the legacy of Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, the mother-daughter pair's respective former partner and father — and also the Thom Yorke-scored, love affair-focused Trust; Commandante, which opened the 2023 Venice Film Festival; Alba Rohrwacher (La Chimera) in drama In The Mirror; and the mystery-led A Dark Story. The lineup goes on, whether you're interested in a revenge-thriller meeting a coming-of-age tale in We Were Children, Monica Bellucci (Mafia Mamma) and Vincent Cassel's (The Three Musketeers: Milady) daughter Deva Cassel starring in the page-to-screen The Beautiful Summer, laughing at actor Margherita Buy's (Ripley) directorial debut Volare or catching Beatrice Grannò from The White Lotus season two in rom-com Bad Conscience. In Sydney and Melbourne, the fest will also say ciao to documentary The Rise of Espresso — so coffee fiends, take note. Italian Film Festival 2024 Dates and Venues: Wednesday, September 18–Wednesday, October 16 — Palace Moore Park, Palace Norton St, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, September 18–Wednesday, October 16 — Palace Electric Cinema, Canberra Thursday, September 19–Wednesday, October 16 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Friday, September 20–Thursday, October 17 — The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and Cinema Nova, Melbourne Thursday, September 26–Wednesday, October 16 — Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Fair Cinemas, Byron Bay and Ballina Wednesday, October 2–Tuesday, October 22 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Thursday, October 3–Wednesday, October 23 — Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth The 2024 Italian Film Festival tours Australia in September and October. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
With the days growing shorter and the nights growing colder, comfort food is coming into its own and nothing is more comforting than a traditional Sunday roast. Perhaps previously associated with stodgy British pub fare, or laborious home cooking, the Sunday roast is becoming more of a gourmet affair in Sydney pubs, with great care taken to recreate and reimagine the classic British meal. The following is a list of our pick of the finest pub roasts in Sydney, sure to chase away the winter blues and provide a hearty feed.
When the 2025 FORMULA 1® SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX races on the Marina Bay street circuit from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, it's not just the drivers who'll be getting in on the action. For ten days straight from September 26, Grand Prix Season Singapore takes over and the entire city transforms into a hub of parties, dining experiences, concerts and one-off events that orbit the main race. Between the on-track events and the city's best food, culture and nightlife hot spots, there's more than enough to fill a week-long stay. So, if you're making the trip over, here's your ultimate bucket list to check out beyond the track. Singapore Sidecars If you're going to navigate Singapore during race week, you might as well do it in style. Singapore Sidecars runs 60-minute vintage Vespa tours that give you front-row access to the city's hidden laneways and street food stops. For the GPSS, the rides get an F1 twist, guiding you past iconic landmarks and F1 party venues while you ride shotgun in an old-school sidecar. This year, you can even end your ride at Prego's Italian restaurant for a post-track night out. Book it here Eat. Play. Race at Harry's Race week is all about stamina, and that starts with where you refuel. Local favourite bar collective, Harry's, is getting into the spirit with an 'Eat. Play. Race.' challenge for F1 fans. To get involved, you can dine at Harry's Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and South Beach locations, collect a digital stamp card and test your skills on the virtual F1 tracks to earn your place on the leaderboard. With heaps of exclusive gifts and prizes on offer, it's the perfect place to kick off race week. Explore it here Don Diablo at Zouk Singapore's nightlife is always energetic, but it gets even buzzier during the Grand Prix. Zouk is one of the city's longest-standing music institutions and nightclubs, featuring a rotating lineup of international talent. This year, Dutch DJ Don Diablo is on the decks for one night, playing tracks from his futuristic third album, *FORΞVΞR*. The multi-hyphenate artist is known for collaborating with Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. He is sure to keep your adrenaline pumping long after the last lap. Book it here Grand Prix Concert Lineup One of the worst-kept secrets about the Singapore Grand Prix? The concerts are just as big a drawcard as the race itself. Each year, the organisers book international A-listers who turn Marina Bay into a full-blown festival precinct. Previous years have seen everyone from Robbie Williams to Blackpink, and the 2025 lineup is promising another mix of global superstars, including Elton John, Lewis Capaldi and Crowded House. Even if you don't know your pit stops from your paddocks, these gigs are reason enough to buy a ticket. Explore it here Singapore Oceanarium After a few nights of partying, you might want to slow the pace with a visit to the Singapore Oceanarium on Sentosa. Recently reopened after a massive revamp, it's one of the world's largest oceanariums, home to more than 100,000 sea animals and immersive digital exhibitions. Wander past towering tanks, learn about ocean conservation, or book a seat at one of its underwater dining experiences. It's a chance to swap the roar of engines for the quiet hum of the underwater world. Explore it here New Bahru If you're looking to experience a different side of Singapore, make time for New Bahru. This creative hub is a cluster of design studios, galleries, boutiques and food pop-ups, all housed in what used to be a girls' school campus. It's where you'll find emerging fashion labels alongside artisan roasters, art collectives and indie events. While the Grand Prix is about the global stage, New Bahru proudly shows off local talent, brands and creativity. Explore it here PERFORMA at Plaza Singapura This year, a series of premium fitness and lifestyle events are popping up at Plaza Singapura for a first-of-its-kind experience. Across the ten days of GPSS, you can wander around the curated line-up of performance gear, join upcycling workshops that turn reclaimed plastics into racing-themed accessories, and squeeze in short, high-intensity workouts at the Speed Series sessions. There's a Refuel Bar for post-sweat refreshments, a gamified Mystery Garage Locker Wall with hidden prizes, and race-themed photo booths where you can walk away with a personalised driver profile card. Explore it here Whether you're an F1 super fan or just along for the ride, the Singapore Grand Prix gives you a chance to tap into one of Asia's most dynamic cities. Between the ten days of culture and music programming and the ever-growing list of new attractions, there's no excuse not to extend your stay. Can't make it in 2025? The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is on October 9 – October 11. Book your limited release early bird tickets here from 13th October. Regular tickets go on sale from 3rd November
It comes as no surprise that Australia's nightlife scenes have shifted dramatically in the past five years. From COVID-19 to the spiking cost of living, Australians' leisure habits are constantly adapting. It may have taken us nearly half a decade to get back off our couches and into our local pubs and restaurants post-lockdown, but the data shows that it's finally happening. Australians are getting more comfortable with heading back out into the nightlife. The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, provides a comprehensive snapshot of Australian life after dark. From chasing the newest must-try restaurant to heading out to night markets, Australians are finding fresh ways to make our nights count. For one in three Australians, going out at night is "extremely or very important" to their lifestyle. Dining out is the most popular choice for leaving the comfort and safety of their houses, followed by heading to the cinema, visiting night markets and going to bars and pubs. [caption id="attachment_1018636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Etheus[/caption] The stats also show that, despite the rhetoric around Gen Z being isolated phone addicts, the younger generations are driving Australia's night-time activity, with Gen Z choosing to go out an average of just over nine nights per month, followed by Gen Y (or millennials) with an average of 7.2 nights out a month. With Visa's new data providing a snapshot of Australia's after-dark habits in the second half of the 2020s, we spoke with two hospitality leaders to get a sense check on what the future of our nightlife may look like and how it has changed. Intentionality over consumption Across the country, operators are seeing a clear move towards more intentional nights out. Kingsley Smith, owner of The London Hotel in Paddington, notes that the midweek pub catch-up has dropped significantly. Kingsley says that Australians are drinking "considerably" less midweek. Saturday nights are still booming, however, as Kingsley observes that Australians are saving themselves for a bigger blowout on the weekend. "Saturday is still the big night out, possibly bigger than ever," he tells Concrete Playground. Jason Williams, the Director of House Made Hospitality, echoes this trend, adding that while Australians continue to socialise, caution around spending due to inflation is shaping how people engage with hospitality. "People are spending a little less, but they're still going out. Guests are chasing experiences — not just good food and drinks — but they're more value-conscious than before." [caption id="attachment_836017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apollonia[/caption] Kingsley believes that the future of the Australian nightlife is "food-focused" with punters looking for "alternative entertainment" outside of bars and clubs, noting that a night out "doesn't need to involve alcohol". This observation is backed up by Visa's data, which found that great food and entertainment take centre stage on Australians' nights out. At the same time, the availability of alcohol ranked low on our list of after-dark priorities. "Australians are drinking less alcohol these days, driven by health and wellness trends, shifting social habits and cost-of-living pressures," says Jason. Despite these trends, Jason remains optimistic about the future of Australian nightlife, particularly in his hometown of Sydney. "Sydney's nightlife is slowly rebuilding after years of lockout laws and red tape, and we're finally seeing real energy from all levels of government to support it," says Jason. "Spending habits are changing, but there's no shortage of passionate operators and creatives ready to deliver great experiences and that enthusiasm will help grow the audience again." [caption id="attachment_1003546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baptist Street Rec. Club[/caption] Even as our habits change, the magic of our cities after dark remains. "We just need to normalise going out more often and make the city feel alive after dark. More retailers staying open later would help, too," Jason shares. According to Kingsley, al fresco dining is booming among customers, and councils are (thankfully) supporting this shift. "Outdoor dining is growing in popularity, and our councils are listening and approving more sidewalk seating and parklets." A message for the home bodies With the price of a pint, the comfort of streaming services and all of our friends living on the small computer in our pockets, it's often easier (and more tempting) to choose a night in over heading out into the dark. But as the weather warms up, Kingsley offers words of encouragement to the homebodies. "Embrace our city at night," says Kingsley. "The more people out, the safer it is and the more vibrant the city becomes." Jason, on the other hand, shares a timeless and pertinent reminder to help us create the future of Australian nightlife. "Netflix will still be there when you get home. Get out and create your own stories to tell — the world's full of energy, flavour and good company if you go looking for it." Discover the vibe near you.
Whether it's the start of a brand new year or time for a mid-year rest, a bit of re-centring and rejuvenation is always in order. And there's almost no better way to do that then with a few days at a yoga retreat. Not sure where to go for your R&R? We've rounded up eight stellar retreats across the country — ranging from the budget-friendly to the all-out luxurious — that are guaranteed to leave you feeling calm, contented, and ready to take on the world. BILLABONG RETREAT, MARAYLYA, NSW Set in 12 acres of natural bushland, this 30-bed eco yoga retreat offers relatively affordable escapes that include beginner-friendly yoga, meditation workshops and accommodation in gorgeous treetop cabins. Extra perks include a magnesium-infused swimming pool and delectable vegetarian food. Don't have time for a weekend retreat? Drop in for a cheeky day visit and you'll be back in Sydney by dinner time, all relaxed and centred. When? Retreats vary between one and seven nights, and run all year round excluding over New Year. How much? Around $250 for one night to $1260 for a week, which includes all meals, twice daily yoga and meditation. Day retreats cost $200. EDEN HEALTH RETREAT, CURRUMBIN VALLEY, QLD Located in the lush rainforest on the Gold Coast hinterland, Eden Health — one of Australia's first retreats — offers guests an individually tailored experience. Want to improve your general health? Manage your stress? Or just chill the hell out? Eden Health will design a program to meet your specific goals over the course of your stay. The centre's extensive facilities (a spa, a natural mud bath, tennis courts, and a heated pool are just a few of the offerings) also mean you'll have plenty to keep you occupied during your downtime. When? Retreats run each week from Sunday to Saturday all year round. How much? Prices start from $3350 for the week, which includes all meals, classes, use of facilities and $300–400 of therapies. YOGA CUCINA, NSW If you thought yoga retreats were all silence and brown rice, Yoga Cucina invites you to reconsider. Initiated by a trio of yoga instructors — and wine drinkers — it's a new kind of yoga-inspired getaway. The retreats — which run a few times a year — let you spend a weekend practising your salutes to the sun and downward dogs, in between sampling several drops, feasting on Italian fare, playing darts and swimming beneath waterfalls. On the first night you'll meet for a pre-dinner wine tasting, then sit down to a big Italian feast. The rest of the weekend will see you waking up to yoga sessions, honing your practice in workshops, trundling off to national parks for swimming under waterfalls, learning how to make pasta, eating, drinking and playing games. When? The next retreat will run over the weekend of September 6–9, 2018. How much? The weekend costs $1050–1200 per person, which includes all activities, food, wine and accommodation. RADIANCE RETREATS, BYRON BAY, NSW As Australia's yoga capital, Byron offers wellness retreats aplenty. While many are geared towards yoga buffs (and can, therefore, be rather intimidating to the beginner), Radiance Retreats focuses on deep, slow vinyasa, making it a great choice for newbies. Run by renowned yogi and author Jessie Chapman, the retreats supplement top-notch yoga classes with meditation, hikes, beach walks, and spa therapies. When? Five- and six-night retreats run about six times a year, with the next two happening on on November 9–14, 2018 and over NYE 2018. How much? Around $2000–2800, which includes all meals, classes, activities and a massage. GLAMPING YOGA RETREAT, WARRANDYTE, VIC Not all retreats have to cost you your yearly yoga member ship. Melbourne-based yoga teacher Maud Léger has just launched a new retreat in Warrandyte, and instead of fancy lodgings, the accommodation is a glamping village. While the camping vibe helps keep costs down, you will in no way rough it — all tents include mattresses, nice linen and rugs, and you'll practice in the estate's studio and deck. When? The next retreat will run from November 3–6, 2018. How much? Prices start from $767 for a shared tent. TRANQUIL POINT BIKRAM YOGA SCHOOL, CYGNET, TAS Searching for a Bikram (that is, hot yoga) retreat? Tranquil Point Bikram Yoga School in Cynget, Tasmania, specialises in this variety. Located 45 minutes from Hobart, the school boasts gorgeous ocean views, an orchard, and an organic vegetable garden. Anyone can drop in for a class, but you can sign up for one of the many retreats on offer — these vary from beginner retreats to weekend getaways to 30- and 60-day challenges. It's a good option for those who are interested in a more active retreat as you can fill your hours off the mat with bushwalks, kayaking and leisurely swims. When? Classes and retreats run throughout the year. How much? Rooms start at $250 a night and retreats can go all the way up to $7500. GWINGANNA LIFESTYLE RETREAT, TALLEBUDGERA, QLD A firm favourite among the yogi crowd, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat last year won Luxury Travel Magazine's Best Australian Health and Wellness Property award. The all-encompassing wellness experience pairs yoga and meditation classes with naturopathy, nutritional advice, an award-winning spa and stunning accommodation. While a few days at this luxurious retreat will put a serious dent in your wallet, if you can afford it, the experience is well worth it. When? Retreats vary between one and seven nights, and run all year round. How much? Around $1000 for the weekend to $3485 for the week, which includes all meals, classes, use of facilities and airport transfers and some therapies. PREMA SHANTI YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT, DAINTREE RAINFOREST, QLD It doesn't get much better than working on your downward dog in a world heritage rainforest. Two hours north of Cairns, Prema Shanti is a secluded, intimate, and eco-friendly retreat that offers a yoga temple, meditation room, and boutique accommodation. Rather than booking in a set retreat, you just book in how many nights you want to stay, from two days up to two weeks. Greet the day with a meditation session, wind down with an evening yoga class, and spend the hours in-between relaxing with a massage or another spa treatment. Best part? Rooms start at $90 a night. When? Classes run throughout the year. How much? Rooms cost $90–120 a night.
On the big screen, Beetlejuice is making a comeback, with a sequel currently in the works. The original 1988 film is rarely far from cinemas anyway, proving a staple at retrospective screenings. But watching the ghost with the most sing and dance onstage? That's a brand-new experience for Australian theatre audiences. Start chanting three times: seeing the Beetlejuice musical Down Under will become a reality in 2025. Penned by the nation's own Eddie Perfect and debuting on Broadway in 2019, this take on Beetlejuice still focuses on the character from Tim Burton's beloved 80s flick, of course — just with songs and dance routines. Cinema's famous 'bio-exorcist' will start haunting Melbourne's Regent Theatre sometime in April 2025, in what'll be its Aussie-premiere run. "While Beetlejuice began on stage in America, this show has a macabre sensibility and twisted humour that Australians will delight in," said Perfect, announcing the Aussie premiere. "I always hoped it would have a life here at some point and I am thrilled that moment has finally arrived. I can't wait to share it with a home crowd for the first time." "Australian fans were some of the loudest begging us to bring Beetlejuice to Australia. We listened and we can't wait to expand our community of Netherlings down under. We are thrilled to bring this hilarious and remarkably touching show to a whole new place and share the electrifying experience that audiences on Broadway, and now throughout North America, have fallen in love with," added Mark Kaufman, Beetlejuice Executive Producer and Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland. And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house and they decide they need that bio-exorcist. When Beetlejuice first burst into picture palaces, it did so with The Flash's Michael Keaton, Stranger Things' Winona Ryder, Schitt's Creek's Catherine O'Hara, GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin all starring. Who'll follow in their footsteps in Melbourne is yet to be revealed. No matter which actors take to the stage in the Beetlejuice musical's Aussie debut, audiences are in for an acclaimed production directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), and with a book by Emmy-nominee Anthony King (Broad City) and Scott Brown (Sharp Objects) — plus Perfect's Tony-nominated original score, of course. The show picked up a whopping eight Tony nominations in 2019, and won Timbers a Drama League Award for Excellence in Directing, plus both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nods for set design. The Beetlejuice musical will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, from April 2025 — head to the production's website for further information and to join the ticket waitlist. Images: Matthew Murphy, 2022.
Croissants aren't easy to make, and no one in Australia knows that better than Kate Reid. For a decade, she's been the face of Lune Croissanterie, the bakery acclaimed by everyone from Yotam Ottolenghi (who called its flaky wares "the croissant that should act as the prototype for all others") to The New York Times (who anointed them "the finest you will find anywhere in the world"). The Melbourne-born chain's pastries didn't just luck into that effusive praise, however. Drawing upon her background as an ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist, Reid took to the task of making the perfect croissant with scientific precision back when she changed fields. Lune's climate-controlled glass cubes, where its croissants are made and baked, have also become famous — adding even more complexity to an already-intricate pastry-creating process. After ten years spent crafting its titular treat, and also expanding the brand across Melbourne and Brisbane (plus Sydney in 2023), Lune has its croissants down to an art — and a science. Australia's pastry fiends clearly agree, spanning the chain's classic OG number through to its rotating array of monthly specials; head to any Lune location and the lines are proof enough. But Reid doesn't want croissant aficionados to only covet Lune's baked goods by heading in-store, not that anyone needs much encouragement there. Cue recipe book LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night, which endeavours to share and demystify the croissant-making method — the butter, layers and laminating all included — across its hefty 272 pages. [caption id="attachment_871783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lune's Kate and Cam Reid[/caption] Reid hasn't found a croissant-making shortcut for the masses, but she has reworked Lune's greatest hits to whip up at home. "Making croissants is really hard, and there's a reason why it's normally a bakery with commercial equipment," she tells Concrete Playground, chatting while touring the country launching the book. When it came time to write the tome, the pandemic struck. Reid describes herself as "a hermit" as a result, but put the situation to good use. "It was coincidental that we ended up in a lockdown, and I was basically stuck in my kitchen at home," she explains. "I was like, 'okay, well what I'm surrounded by is what everyone who buys the book is going to be surrounded by'. So I basically rewrote the recipes from scratch with the home baker in mind." Yes, while everyone else was trying out sourdough, Reid was creating the world's next home-cooking obsession. (When Concrete Playground suggests that perhaps readers will approach Reid's recipes Julie & Julia-style, baking their way through them all from start to finish, she laughs approvingly.) If that commitment sounds like the act of a perfectionist, it is, and Reid freely uses the label to describe herself. You don't get to be an Australian who's globally renowned for a French pastry — so much so that LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night is being snapped by up folks with bakeries in Wales and Prague, Reid advises — without being diligent and meticulous. You also don't get there without learning plenty. When Reid founded Lune, she did "honestly just want to make the best croissant". She was dedicated to that task — starting work at 5am and putting in 10–12-hours-plus a day rolling croissants up until just a couple of years ago — but didn't once dream of having "five stores around Australia, soon to add to Sydney to the mix (which we're all super-excited about), a book, 170 staff and a wine bar", as she itemises. She credits that modest initial outlook and the genuine passion behind it for Lune's success. It might seem surprising for someone clearly so detail-oriented, but she also champions discovering when to not sweat the small stuff, as she talked through in a chat about croissant dreams, cookbook essentials and the best advice she's ever received. ON STARTING LUNE TO CHASE THE PERFECT CROISSANT "The story's well known about leaving Formula 1 and coming back to Australia, and being interested in being a baker or a pastry chef. But it was going to Paris and spending the time at Du Pain et des Idées, and working exclusively in their raw pastry kitchen. Prior to that, I'd been working in cafes, and making cakes and tarts and biscuits — and while I enjoyed that, I needed something that presented far more of a technical challenge. Discovering that at a bakery in Paris, I finally felt like every single one of the receptors that I needed to be stimulated to feel fulfilled in my work were. I was working in a bakery in France where I had to speak French, and learn new techniques that are physically challenging. I came back from Paris so inspired by what I'd learnt — and then wanting to find a croissant in Melbourne that had matched what I'd been eating and making in Paris. I couldn't really find anything that came anywhere near it, so I guess that was where the idea for Lune was born." [caption id="attachment_668102" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Tarasiuk.[/caption] ON SWAPPING A CHILDHOOD DREAM FOR A PASTRY-FILLED FUTURE "I think I'd turned 30 the year I started Lune. For 20 years just preceding that, I'd been laser-focused about a career in Formula 1. I'd literally planned out my retirement. I was going to be the first female technical director of an F1 team, and wanted to retire in Scotland. When I got sick and came back to Australia, the thought of planning too far ahead scared me, because planning so far ahead had put me in a pretty dark place and things hadn't panned out the way I'd thought. So Lune was a bit more of a one-step-at-a-time approach. Like, 'okay you've discovered this new thing that you love, and you've got an ideal to open a little wholesale bakery in Melbourne — let's start there'. Maybe that's been one of the keys to the success of Lune, in that I didn't have a hard and fast outcome that I needed to achieve other than continuing to hone and perfect this pastry, and therefore it has grown in quite an organic direction. The right people have come along at the right time. Cam [Reid's brother and co-owner] came along 18 months in and he's been instrumental. And Nathan [restaurateur Toleman, of Dessous, Hazel and Common Ground Project] came onboard another year or so later, and he's been instrumental as we've been growing in Victoria and interstate. And then there's the chefs that've crossed our paths over the years. We didn't even know that we were going to go to Brisbane up until two years ago, when the opportunity presented itself. I think now where we are, it's important for us to have a growth plan and a vision, but I think all of us — myself, Cameron and Nathan — are all aware that you don't know what life's going to throw at you, or what your business or you are personally going to have to face, and what challenges are going to come. And it's better to be open-minded, as doors will open when you don't expect." ON WRITING A LUNE COOKBOOK TEN YEARS ON — AND CATERING FOR ALL BAKERS "I've had experiences, not just with bakery books but cookbooks in general, where you follow a recipe to the letter in a book and somehow the end result isn't exactly what it promises to be in the photo or the inscriptions. You always blame yourself, because you're like 'well I'm not a professional chef that wrote that recipe, and I don't work in that restaurant, so I must've done something wrong'. I really wanted to write a book that, short of having me in the kitchen with you, the person who bought it and wanted to cook from it really felt like I was like coaching them through the process in a very detailed way. So, the recipes had to be achievable by a home cook. In order to do that, I discovered over probably six or seven weeks of pretty frustrating trials at home last year that I couldn't just replicate what we did at Lune, obviously, because no one in their home kitchen has all the commercial bakery equipment that we have at Lune. I make no bones about it: there's a reason that we don't make croissants at home. But I think especially over the past few years — and with thanks to people like Chad Robertson from Tartine, who's really normalised and championed more technical baking at home, especially with the understanding of making sourdough bread — people out there want a bigger challenge. Especially over the last couple of years with going in and out of lockdown, people got really savvy in their own kitchens making things that otherwise they might've just wandered down to the local bakery to get. There will be many people who read the recipes I've written and, at the start it tells you you've got to dedicate three days to it —there's managing of temperatures, and pulling batches of pastry in and out of the fridge to make sure the butter's the right consistency; it's very technical. The technical home baker will absolutely dive into the recipes. But for those people who don't want to dedicate three days of life to try to make them from home, there's a couple of chapters in the book dedicated to twice-baked recipes that are cult-classics at Lune — like our coconut pandan or the carrot cake, the mocha, the choc-chip cookie-slice bake — and then there's also a leftovers chapter. Those chapters mean that you can just walk down to your local bakery, buy half-a-dozen plain croissants, then engage with the book and cook from it in a couple of hours of cooking in the kitchen, rather than three days." ON PICKING THE RECIPES — AND PLAYING FAVOURITES "I actually compiled a list of every single special we've ever done at Lune, and the list is hundreds long. Then I looked through it, and basically went and picked out my 60 favourites. The book had to come from my heart, and I needed to make sure that there was a really lovely story behind each recipe included. I also wanted it to be a good balance of sweet and savoury, of simple and complex, and pastries that Lune customers remember from the last ten years. It'd be very hard for me to go past the traditional croissant, and just the challenge of mastering the plain croissant at home. Anyone who embarks on that recipe is going to have a great amount of satisfaction when they pull them out of the oven on day three. But in terms of what to do with the croissant pastry and be creative with it, there are so many recipes in the book. The fish pie one is genius because it uses the scraps of the scraps, so nothing needs to get thrown in the bin. And then with the kouign-amann recipe, which isn't a cult Lune recipe — it's a classic French pastry — even if you've stuffed up your lamination a bit in the raw pastry, you are going to get the most delicious pastry you've ever made at home." ON THE BEST ADVICE REID HAS EVER RECEIVED "It's probably been from Cam, my brother. I am absolutely a perfectionist, maybe to my detriment, and had Cam not come along I potentially could've gotten really stuck in the detail of perfecting the croissant — and at the expense of making a viable business. I'm a control freak as well, so it took me a long time to be able to step back and let go of control of elements that ultimately I didn't need to have control of. The advice is to let go of the things that don't matter, and let other people take hold of things, because somebody's always better at something than you are. If you can find someone that's better at it than you, it's going to be to the benefit of the business and the product, and ultimately you as well. And trusting in people. I think my biggest learning is that to grow a business, 100-percent the most important thing is to have a really good recruitment program, because to get the right people involved in your business is the only way for a business to grow and succeed." AND SOME ADVICE FOR LUNE: CROISSANTS ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT READERS "Source really good ingredients to start with, because you can't make something great from bad ingredients – you just can't. They're your foundation, your good ingredients. If you live in a really hot, humid environment and you don't have air-conditioning, it's probably going to be the most frustrating recipe of your entire life. It's really not designed for warm environments, and if you don't have the ability to control the room that you're doing the pastry in, then you're not going to have a great time. And please tag me on Instagram if you try to make it, because I'm so excited to see everyone's results. That's not advice — that's a request!" LUNE: Croissants All Day, All Night is available at Australian bookstores and online, with the hardback edition retailing for $55.
Australia's undying love of gin is set to be front-and-centre next month when the inaugural Sydney Gin Palooza comes to King Street Wharf. Hosted by the Australian Gin Distillers Association, the mini festival will bring 40 craft gin distillers from around the country under one roof on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. Apart from bottomless tastings, punters will also have the chance to chat directly with the makers. There will be 40 stallholders hawking over 200 gins, including Sydney locals Archie Rose and Manly Spirits Co., Tasmania's Lark Distillery, Yarra Valley's Four Pillars and Margaret River's The West Winds Gin. Representing NSW, there will be Karu Distillers, which will demonstrate the best way to mix gin and iced tea; Hemp Gin, which is one of the first Australian distilleries to create hemp seed-infused gin; and Distillery Botanica, which will share its internationally award-winning drops. Once you've picked your favourite, head to the gin shop, where you can purchase bottles for takeaway. Tickets will cost $70, with five tasting sessions to choose from across the two days. Each entry ticket includes unlimited gin tastings, mixers, and canapés. If you're keen to get in early on Saturday, a shorter two-hour brunch session will run from 11am at a discounted $55 per ticket. Apart from all of the above, the ticket will also include a coffee, croissant and a G&T to boot.
Tucked away just over the Anzac Bridge, you'll find one of the inner west's most tranquil spots: Balmain. The peninsula suburb is a leafy oasis with historic shopfronts, old trees and lots of couples with kids and pups. But, this area is anything but sleepy suburbia. Inside Balmain Village's renovated Victorian terraces you'll find a thriving community of local businesses who've won the hearts of residents and visitors alike. These are the kind of spots where you'll be greeted with a smile and chat, places to linger and browse at leisure without any frantic crowds. So whether you're looking for that very specific book or the perfect gift for a mate, Balmain is where you should make a beeline for. To help make your shopping adventure successful, we've teamed up with American Express to put together this list of local Balmain favourites. All of them are delightful in their own way — and you can shop small with on Darling Street with your Amex Card.
This year may have gotten off to a chaotic start, but that doesn't mean the country's (or your) cultural calendar is looking too bare. Some of 2022's most exciting and immersive art and museum exhibitions have either just opened their doors across the nation or are on their way before the year is out — which means you've got plenty to see in plenty of places. That's especially exciting now that interstate borders are all fully open across the entire country, and cheap flights keep popping up with frequency, too. So, get out your diaries and plan trips to dive into all things Disney, peer at Yayoi Kusama's finest in two different cities, scope out Picasso's best and fall in love with Elvis paraphernalia — aka some of the art and museum exhibitions set to brighten up 2022. Top image: Raemar, Blue, 1969, James Turrell. Tate: Presented by the Tate Americas Foundation, partial purchase and partial gift of Doris J. Lockhart 2013. © James Turrell. Photo: Tate.
Oxford Street has long been one of Sydney's most important cultural and creative areas. As a proud LGBTQIA+ hub, the traditional home of the Mardi Gras Parade and a bustling retail, food and drink precinct, the street stands out as a cultural touchstone of the city. Currently, Oxford Street is undergoing a transformation under a new wave of development in the area. A push by the City of Sydney to further develop the Oxford Street as a creative space, and a reignited excitement for the area following the end of the lockout laws, has seen new restaurant openings, rooftop bars and cycleways, a new hotel on the horizon and the redevelopment of multiple long-standing Oxford Street venues including the Kinselas and Courthouse Hotels and the Brighton Hotel. Alongside this wave of new developments, a new multimillion-dollar project has been proposed that would see sweeping changes to a large section of Oxford Street. Property management Toga has lodged two applications with the City of Sydney for $60 million worth of renovations of three major Oxford Street buildings. The renovations would see office and retail buildings 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street all transformed into a new creative, retail and commercial precinct in the heart of Darlinghurst. [caption id="attachment_801989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A 3D rendering of the development at 82–106 Oxford Street.[/caption] The application for 58–76 and 82–106 proposes a refurbishment of the buildings with a retail, food and drink, cultural and creative premises on the lower ground, commercial offices above, as well as laneway retail spaces off Oxford Street. The development at 110–122 would include a 75-room hotel, as well as more retail, food and drink, and cultural spaces. The refurbishment would maintain the buildings' heritage facades while expanding them with a new glass roof extension and renovating the interiors, including the installation of new lifts and a redesign of the upper level offices to create larger, open-plan office buildings. Dubbed The Darlinghurst Collection, the three sets of buildings have been leased to real estate investment company Ashe Morgan by the City of Sydney for 99 years. Ashe Morgan and Toga are working together on the development. Businesses including Big Poppa's and Ariel Books have been mainstays in the space, while new businesses like the Babekuhl Gallery have migrated to the buildings recently. Many spaces across the three blocks remain empty. In the submitted proposal, Toga characterises Oxford Street as "operating below its potential" and requiring "significant renewal to rediscover its spirit and become once again a destination for Sydney locals and interstate and international visitors". According to the application, the renovations to The Darlinghurst Collection will aim to "bring new life to the precinct". The application is currently under assessment by the City of Sydney. An application for a $60 million renovation to 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street is currently under review by the City of Sydney. You can find the applications here and here. Images from the development application submitted to the City of Sydney by Toga.
At this point in human history, we've left the world 'normal' far behind us. We live in an age of out-there ideas across all mediums, from entertainment to food and beyond. So why limit yourself to routine plans, basic weekenders and tickets to the same old festivals when you could shake up your calendar with something a little more unique? There's no shortage of offbeat events taking place in New South Wales in 2023, so we've partnered with Destination NSW to showcase some of the more left-of-centre and memorable attractions across this vast state. From existential dread to fabulous festivals and some good old-fashioned silly fun, we invite you to consider the following...
Emma's Snack Bar in Enmore has a friendly, casual vibe and a full menu of mezze — this is Lebanese dining that always pleases. The retro interior draws inspiration from the local takeaway model; there's fluorescent signage, a blackboard menu, counter dining and a takeaway window when you're just too daggy to go inside. Another thing to note is that it's absolutely packed. Good thing it's mostly locals, so it's just a short (and sad) walk home if they forget to make a booking. The menu is designed for a relaxed pick and nibble while you sip on a glass of wine. With hummus being the staffroom lunch staple it is these days, Emma's has spiced things up by creating four different versions — our favourite being the spicy one. The garlic dip is another must-order, with so much pure garlic, it'll make you tear up a little. The oven-roasted eggplant features garlic and Lebanese spices to make a tangy, textural feast, while the spiced fried cauliflower with tahini is little short of perfection. Everyone wants more of the Moorish Chicken, which sees marinated chicken stuffed into a parcel of crispy pita. Sadly, it's cut into four slices, so you've really got no option but to share it with your 'friends'. Behold, the kebab arrives. Unwrapping the delicate paper folds reveals that this is no ordinary kebaby. A never-dry fet of falafels lie cradled in a bread blanket, lovingly tucked in with fatouche, pickles and a creamy thini sauce. It's fresh and heavenly, one of the few kebabs you'll ever eat without remorse. Although Emma's Snack Bar is a relaxed joint, the menu is all about the fine art of snacking, so don't expect generous platters of greasy food, and don't turn up at 2am (or really, really drunk) either. This is mezze so good you're sure to come back for a double dip. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
Lazing on the beach all summer might flood your vitamin D levels and calm your heart rate, but it does nothing for your mental faculties. For that, we have the Sydney Festival, our summer side dish of culture, new music worth listening to, mind-bending public art and general brain food. Spiegeltents, labyrinths, The Life Aquatic cameos and unlikely Japanese team-ups — it's the kind of substance that makes the whole season stick in the mind for years afterwards. The festival is on from January 8-26, but if you want to enjoy those bright 2.5 weeks, it's best to get booking now. Here are just ten of our favourite things to see from the nearly 200 events across music, performance and public art. ATOMIC BOMB! THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM ONYEABOR William Onyeabor is perhaps the most mysterious man ever to have fused Afro-funk with space-age jams. After powering through the creation of eight albums over just as many years, he suddenly decided to stop talking: about himself or his music. However, it's a well-known fact that it takes an awful lot to 'stop the funk'. So, in what's certain to be one of the hands-down most epic musical events of Sydney Festival, an 18-strong band made up of artists from all over the world are getting together to jam on Onyeabor's music at the Enmore Theatre. Led by Sinkane, Money Mark, Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), the performance will feature special guests in the form of Gotye and the legendary Mahotella Queens. 16 and 17 January, 8pm at Enmore Theatre. Tickets $85/77. INSIDE THERE FALLS UK artist Mira Calix teams up with the Sydney Dance Company's Rafael Bonachela for this stunning installation, combining sculpture, dance, spoken word and music. Over the past year or two, Calix has been busy in her studio, shaping vast sheets of paper into an ethereal labyrinth, which will be transported to Carriageworks for the Sydney Festival. On entering, visitors will find themselves immersed in a surreal, shimmering world, where they'll hear snippets of poetic prose spoken by actor Hayley Atwell, strains of classical music and, every now and again, catch sight of a dancer. Even though the dancing has been choreographed, performances won't be scheduled: it'll be a matter of taking your chances. Sounds like the perfect, dreamy summer escape. 8-17 January at Carriageworks. Free. DAN DEACON If you're heading to Dan Deacon's show, don't forget your smartphone, whatever you do. Because it's your key to becoming an actual, live part of his gig. Before rocking up, audience members are asked to download an app, which will enable them to play an active role in his spectacular, synchronised sound and light extravaganza. Deacon, who hails from Baltimore, will be in rare solo form and is set to deliver one of his wildest, most chaotic and most fun performances yet. 22 January, 11.45pm at Festival Village. Tickets $39. KISS & CRY The hands can say so much. Think of all the gestures of welcome, surrender and (perhaps most memorably) offence we use when words fail us. Yet what we didn't expect to see is a stage show entirely starring two hands, communicating that complexity we all know so achingly well: love. An old woman reflects back on the encounters that shaped her life in this poetic ballet, puppet show and live film experience, performed in a miniature set. Presented by Belgium's Charleroi Danses, Kiss & Cry comes from the bonafide talents of choreographer Michele Anne De Mey (a founding member of Rosas dance company) and filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael, director of 2009 sci-fi film Mr Nobody. 22-25 January at Carriageworks. Tickets $59-75. CORNELIUS PRESENTS SALYU X SALYU All the way from Japan, this collaboration between noise pop guru Cornelius and enigmatic J-pop vocalist Salyu will make its Australian premiere at the Sydney Festival. They're a potent match: while Cornelius has the beats finesse to keep any crowd on its feet until the wee hours, Salyu has the vocal skill and dynamic to keep him on his toes. She is, after all, the artist responsible for 'Kaifuku No Kizu', from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Expect plenty of surprises. 23 January, 5.15pm at Festival Village. Tickets $49. HIGHER GROUND Home to much of the festival's music, two Spiegeltents will be anchoring the expanding Festival Village, one of the real successes of last year and a true hub for hanging out in. Also within it will be a huge-scale art work from Ireland's answer to Banksy, street artist Maser. The maze-like, colour-splashed, two-storey-high installation, called Higher Ground, is said to be "a dream come true for those who always wished they could step inside a painting", and will be the focus of everyone's Instagramming this festival (which for the first time in two years, is Rubber Duck-less). Maser will be the artist-in-residence at the Village, though as he operates in anonymity, we don't expect to see too much of him. January 8-25 at Hyde Park North. Free. NOTHING TO LOSE When Kevin Bacon stood up in Footloose and said, "This is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life." What he didn't say was "but only for slim, athletic people". And yet, that seems to be what we mean these days. Fat dancers and performers aren't often seen, and so many people seem to have so many opinions on fatness and how fat people move through our society. Well, fat activist and artists Kelli Jean Drinkwater and resigning Force Majeure artistic director Kate Champion want us to broaden our outlook on the body and the act of dancing. This work is important, topical and, coming from dance-theatre masters Force Majeure (Never Did Me Any Harm, Food), sure to be powerful and original. Read our chat Kelli Jean Drinkwater and Kate Champion here. 21-25 January at Carriageworks. Tickets $59-65. SEU JORGE There's not many a cover artist can teach David Bowie about music. But when the art-rock king heard Seu Jorge perform his hits acoustically, in Portuguese, for The Life Aquatic, he said he heard a whole "new level of beauty". That is certainly no easily earned praise. Seu Jorge, who cut his deep yet irresistibly tender voice in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will make his debut Australian performance at Sydney Festival. He'll be playing an array of his famous, unique interpretations, as well as a bunch of originals, accompanied by a delicious mix of Latin and Caribbean beats, in both live and electronic form. Read our chat with Seu Jorge right here. 10 January, 8pm in The Domain (free) and 11 January, 8pm at The Star Event Centre. Tickets $45-89. ADRIENNE TRUSCOTT'S ASKING FOR IT It's a longstanding qualm some people have with female comedians that they're always talking about their genitalia. Those people might not enjoy this show. Returning to Australia for the second time in 2014, US comedian, performance artist and one half of the Wau Wau Sisters Adrienne Truscott is quite literally bearing all in a one-woman show about rape culture. Dressed only from the waist up, Truscott is taking aim at the likes of Daniel Tosh and his controversial comments of 2013, and is dragging the art of the 'rape joke' to breaking point. After five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, this is likely to be one the most-talked about shows of the festival (for better or worse). 14-18 January at Seymour Centre. Tickets $35. https://youtube.com/watch?v=p1uwQVtHHOQ WATERFALL SWING "This interactive waterfall swing won't make you wish you're a kid again, it will make you forget you're an adult," wrote Techly earlier this year, after Dash 7 Design's Waterfall Swing made waves in Rockefeller Plaza and across the US and Europe. And we wouldn't be Concrete Playground if we didn't get a bit excited by a souped up piece of play equipment in the middle of the city. Waterfall Swing sends you flying towards a curtain of water that, thanks to the work of sensors, parts just before you hit it. Magic. 8-24 January at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour. Free. By the Concrete Playground team.
It's no secret that toasties are having a moment, with just about every cafe in town serving up its version of a grilled cheese — not that we're complaining. However, if you're keen to try something just a little different, La Panineria is setting up shop in a hole-in-the-wall spot along Curtin Place, giving you the chance to indulge in loaded Tuscan schiacciata sandwiches. Set to open in June, La Panineria is led by the same family-run outfit behind Tessuto, the easygoing trattoria that recently opened in the CBD. For their latest venture, expect loaded Tuscan flatbread, pizza by the slice and pistachio-stuffed lobster tail pastries, all served from a smartly designed laneway venue that echoes Italy's charming piazzas — just with more colour. While only 30 square metres in size, La Panineria will offer top-notch coffee, sweet treats and savoury sarnies throughout the week, starting from 6am. That's good news for early-rising office workers needing a stellar bite for a more satisfying morning. It might even be the ideal time to indulge in a schiacciata — the thinner, crispier alternative to its more famous Italian bread cousins. Although it might look like focaccia on the surface, La Panineria's Head Chef and co-owner Mattia Senesi explains that schiacciata's time-consuming process — the dough can rest for up to three days — makes it lighter, more flavoursome and easier to digest. With this in mind, each slice is primed for stacks of toppings. "It also has special meaning to me as it's the bread of my childhood and my family," says Senesi. This love of Italian cuisine was a major motivator for opening La Panineria, with the team on the hunt for the perfect venue for the past three years. Having secured its Curtin Place location, co-owner Anthony Arienzale is keen to add a few more Italian traditions to Sydney's bustling sandwich scene. "Schiacciata bread is still relatively unknown in Sydney, but we want to continue to shine a spotlight on it," says Arienzale. "Name something better than classic fillings like prosciutto, mortadella, fresh mozzarella and polpette alongside olive-oil-washed crispy bread with a soft and fragrant underbelly." La Panineria is expected to open in June in Curtin Place, off 280 George Street, Sydney. Head to the website for more information.
For the second time in as many movies, Lady Gaga is caught in a bad romance in House of Gucci. Yes, she's already sung the song to match. The pop diva doesn't belt out ballads or croon upbeat tunes in this true-crime drama, unlike in her Oscar-nominated role in A Star Is Born, but she does shimmy into a tale about love and revenge, horror and design, and wanting someone's everything as long as it's free. Eschewing the earthy naturalism of her last film performance and tapping into her famed on-stage theatricality instead, she's perfect for the part of Patrizia Reggiani, aka Lady Gucci, aka the daughter of a trucking entrepreneur who wed into one of the world's most prestigious fashion families, helped unstitch its hold on its couture empire, then went to prison for murder. She's exceptional because she goes big and lavish, and because she knows that's the type of feature she's meant to be in: a soapy spectacle about money and power that uses its depiction of excess as an interrogation technique. Complimenting Gaga for nailing the brief — for acing it so dazzlingly that she's sauntering down her own catwalk as most of her co-stars virtually watch from the floor — gives House of Gucci a tad too much credit, though. Ridley Scott's second film in mere months following The Last Duel, and his third in a row to examine wealth and influence after 2017's All the Money in the World, this fashion-world saga skews large, lush and luxe with each choice, too, but doesn't land every sashay with quite the outsized lustre of its crown jewel. If House of Gucci's veteran director was picking an outfit instead, he would've chosen a killer gown, then wavered on the accessories. Some of his other decisions gleam, as seen in the movie's knowingly maximalist and melodramatic air. Others prove fine, like its jukebox-style soundtrack of 70s and 80s bangers. A few moves are so cartoonish — Jared Leto's ridiculousness, and the Super Mario-style accents sported by almost everyone on-screen — that they play like cheap knockoffs. The story itself is a standout, however, as adapted from Sara Gay Forden's 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed. When Patrizia meets law student Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver, Annette) at a 70s-era party, mistakes him for a bartender, then realises who he is, it sparks a rollercoaster of a relationship — starting with Maurizio being disinherited by his father Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons, Love, Weddings and Other Disasters) for their marriage. Still, the newest Gucci knows what she wants: a place in the family's dynasty. She isn't the lone cause of the Guccis' unfolding, thanks to Rodolfo's brother Aldo (Al Pacino, Hunters), his penchant for watering down the brand and tax evasion, and his wannabe-designer son Paolo (Leto, The Little Things), but she's the Lady Macbeth pushing Maurizio to seize the company by any means. And, because the reason that House of Gucci even exists was written in news headlines over a quarter-century ago, she's behind Maurizio's killing in 1995. "I don't consider myself a particularly ethical person, but I'm fair," Patrizia offers partway into the movie, a moral code that still sees her order his hit after their divorce — helped by a TV psychic-turned-pal (Salma Hayek, Eternals), because that's the kind of tale this is. Interviewed in 2016, Patrizia called herself "the most Gucci of them all", an idea that Scott and his screenwriters Becky Johnston (Arthur Newman) and Roberto Bentivegna (short El otro lado) don't ever give Italian-lilted voice to, but still use as their basic pattern. In the sartorial realm, Gucci might stand for high-end indulgence, but House of Gucci sees both the allure and the cost of the brand reflected in Patrizia's status-hungry actions. Lust — for power, popularity, money, standing and sex all included — might be the soapiest vice of them all. Blunt, pulsating and pumping through the hot-blooded Patrizia's veins, it's House of Gucci's signature emotion, although the other deadly sins also get a whirl. No exaggerated account of life, love and the one percent's lavishness lacks in greed, pride, wrath, envy, gluttony and sloth as well, including this one, but there's nothing like unfettered desire to keep a narrative bubbling. Scott's film is positively ravenous for more, as its protagonist is at every turn. Nothing is too much for Patrizia in her quest to inhabit a life she once only fantasised about, and there's little that House of Gucci won't do to convey and embody that appetite. But all that glitters isn't always gold, or diamond-sharp, or even entertainingly gaudy, including for the picture itself. With Scott's regular cinematographer Dariusz Wolski on lensing duties, House of Gucci looks like a glitzy dream that slowly loses its glamour, and by design. Its largely Milan-set staging and obviously Gucci-heavy costuming expresses the same feeling — whether or not Paolo is urinating on silk scarves and Aldo is peddling fakes. But those pasta-sauce ad accents just play cheap and easy from the outset, and everything about Leto's prosthetic-laden, safari suit-wearing, hammed-up performance does the same. Both quickly overstay their welcomes, not that either is ever welcomed at all. Calling them knowing gags, purposefully camp flourishes or pointed parodies would be far too generous, even given the feature's gleeful soap-opera tone, overt eat-the-rich sentiments and clear awareness that it's a piece of true-crime pageantry. Thank the pop-culture gods for Gaga, then, as legions of her Little Monsters have for more than a decade. Another movie from the past year, the unshakeably misguided Joe Bell, had a character liberally sing her praises — but, surpassing even A Star Is Born, House of Gucci is her silver-screen powerhouse. Donning wiggle dresses, voluminous hair and a slinkily savage attitude, she's both lively and alive to everything happening in Patrizia's story and Scott's film alike. Whether posed opposite Driver's restrained turn as Maurizio or Pacino's also-big effort as Aldo, her presence improves her co-stars' work in every scene they share, too. Hers is an investment performance, with Scott entrusting almost everything that hits the mark in House of Gucci to his leading lady's go-for-it glow — and treating audiences to a bona fide movie-star show that Gaga couldn't wear better if it was sewn on.
Hanami and Japan go hand in hand, but what if you could indulge in the art of flower viewing (yes, that's what the term translates to in English) a bit closer to home? Well, that's where the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival comes in. It's a celebration of everyone's favourite pink flora in Sydney's west. Between Saturday, August 21–Sunday, August 29, the Auburn Botanic Gardens will transform its Japanese Gardens into a beautiful, blooming wonderland — in a COVID-19 safe way this year, and as long as Sydney is out of lockdown. You'll be able to ramp up your appreciation of the fleeting natural phenomena that is cherry blossom season by attending viewing the eye-catching blooms in the lead up to spring. Tis the season, after all. And taking in the spectacular scenery isn't the only thing you'll be doing. There'll also be an array of Japanese food trucks, a pop-up izakaya serving up sake and Japanese craft beer, and a lineup of talks, live music and performances. Or, try to find your bliss at a meditation session, or get nostalgic in the presence of Hello Kitty. Tickets cost $11.75 for general admission and are free for Cumberland residents — and the event will run from 9am–5pm daily. Images: Destination NSW.
Surry Hills restaurant and bar Mille Vini has long been admired for its rustic Italian cuisine, spotlighting numerous regions throughout the old country with handmade pastas and a focus on local winemakers specialising in Italian varieties. Now the same team is making its first foray into the CBD, launching Rovollo in July. Joining other fine-diners like AALIA and The International at 25 Martin Place, Rovollo will move into the former home of L'uva Pasta Wine Bar. Delivering an intimate Italian dining experience, the 40-seat venue (with space for 30 more guests outside) will pair the warmth and personalised service of old-school hospitality with modern-day sophistication and style. Guided by Andrew Wallace of Esper Hospitality, the new venue was inspired by a recent trip to the Amalfi Coast, where his family was treated to timeless hospitality that's unfortunately becoming harder to find. With Rovollo, the plan is to deliver a similar kind of la dolce vita, where the richness of the experience is just as important as the luxuries on the plate. "We weren't just there for an allocated time slot. There was genuine theatre, personal touches and we left feeling like we were part of something bigger than ourselves," says Wallace. "We want to give back to Sydney diners, by creating an atmosphere where people feel known, receive more than they expected and with memories that last well after they've walked out the door." To strike this ambience, a rotating pasta lineup made fresh daily by Executive Chef Cami Feliciano (Seta, Woodcut and Matteo Downtown), will lead Rovollo's menu. Meanwhile, newly appointed Head Chef Zane Buchanan (Clam Bar) will take charge of large-format proteins. We'll have to wait for the full release, but just know the signature pasta will be served from a giant Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel imported from Italy. Did we mention it will be set alight before plating? Also on the share-style menu will be a myriad of antipasti and premium seafood dishes. As for the beverage offering, expect over 25 wines poured by the glass, while a Coravin wine system will help foster fascinating pairings and regular special tastings. Rovollo's launch date is still to be revealed, but the restaurant will open for lunch and dinner, six days a week. Rovollo is planned for a July opening at 25 Martin Place, Sydney. Head to the website for updates and more information. Images: Christian Michael.
For four decades, The Shining has been responsible for many a nightmare — not only due to Stephen King's 1977 bestseller, which helped cement him as a horror maestro, but courtesy of Stanley Kubrick's unnerving and acclaimed 1980 film. If you've ever been spooked by twins, garish hexagonal hotel carpet designs, sprawling hedge mazes, elevators filled with blood, someone shouting "here's Johnny!" or just Jack Nicholson in general, you have this macabre masterpiece to thank. From parodies to homages to overt recreations, The Shining is also the unsettling gift that keeps giving. Everything from The Simpsons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Ready Player One has nodded the movie's way — as has documentary Room 237, which attempted to delve into its many secrets, meanings, theories and interpretations, too. But they've got nothing on the actual sequel to the eerie story. It picks up decades later, following the now-adult Danny Torrance as he tries to cope with the fallout from his supernatural gift. (Oh, and the memory of being terrorised by his axe-wielding dad as well.) In the just-released first trailer for Doctor Sleep — which is based on Stephen King's 2013 novel of the same name — all work and no play make Danny (Ewan McGregor) something something. He's perturbed, mainly, as he grapples with the trauma he experienced in The Shining. Then he meets a mysterious teenager (Kyliegh Curran) who also has the gift, and things get creepier than a ghastly woman peering out of a bath or the word 'redrum' written on a mirror. In a teaser filled with references to its predecessor, both of these appear. Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood and Room's Jacob Tremblay also star, with The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan in the director's chair. While King was famously unhappy with Kubrick's take on The Shining — even writing the script for a three-part TV mini-series version in the 90s — here's hoping that he approves of Flanagan's vision. This is actually the filmmaker's second King adaptation, after Netflix flick Gerald's Game. Check out the Doctor Sleep trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFEVyTlTqYo Doctor Sleep releases in Australian cinemas on November 7, 2019.
Before 2025 is out, BENEE will release her second album. Before that, she's supporting Tate McRae's UK and Europe gigs, and already has a tune on the soundtrack for A Minecraft Movie. That's a huge year for any musician, especially after touring with Wallows in North America and Olivia Rodrigo in Australia in 2024, as well as making her Coachella debut in 2023 and singing the official song of the same year's Women's World Cup with Mallrat. But something else that's massive has been happening for Stella Bennett around the above achievements and highlights, plus her own first world tour in 20222: Head South, her debut film. Written and directed by fellow Aotearoan Jonathan Ogilvie (The Tender Hook, Lone Wolf), Head South is based on his own experiences. The filmmaker calls it "an almost-true story"; "everything in it happened, and mainly to me", he also notes. Given that the movie shot in 2022, then premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2024, then played New Zealand International Film Festival and hit cinemas in NZ that year, Head South has been a part of Bennett's life for a few years ahead of opening in Australia on Thursday, April 3, 2205. And while she can't wait for what's ahead for her musically in 2025 — "I'm so excited. I love touring. It's pretty fun being on a bus. That makes it weirdly easier, because you're not checking into hotels or being in a sprinter van, but you get rocked to sleep in the bus. It's quite strange. It doesn't sound fun, but it is fun," she tells Concrete Playground — she's always wanted to be in a film. Indeed, she hopes that more will follow. BENEE wasn't actively looking for the project that'd take her to the big screen when Head South crossed her path. "It was just an opportunity that came up," she advises. That said, "I'd definitely been saying that I want to do acting", she also reflects. "I grew up doing auditions and voiceovers, so it was definitely, when it came up, I was like 'heck yeah, definitely, I'm down'." The bug has firmly struck, though, including genuinely seeking out new parts moving forward. "I am. I've just got a new agent in America, so there are hopefully going to be some opportunities. And I want to be in a horror movie. I would love to be in a scary movie." With Head South mining Ogilvie's teenage life for inspiration, Australian talent Ed Oxenbould (Nugget Is Dead?: A Christmas Story) is the picture's lead — and the lone Aussie among the NZ cast and crew, he tells us. As Angus, it's the Puberty Blues, Paper Planes, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Visit, Better Watch Out, Wildlife and Irreverent star's task to virtually play his director, and to find himself thrust into Christchurch's post-punk music scene in 1979. Always trying to seem cool, the character swaps his blonde surfer-style locks and trying to pass off parsley as marijuana with his schoolmates for a cropped cut, a bass and the world revolving around Middle Earth Records. Listening to Public Image Ltd, John Lydon's band post-Sex Pistols, is one of those life-changing music moments that every teen has. Attempting to put together the band that Angus claims that he already fronts — endeavouring to impress Malcolm (Demos Murphy, The Gulf), the singer from local favourites The Cursed — isn't as straightforward as he expects, however. Angus' made-up group has a name: The Daleks. It soon has a gig as well, opening for The Cursed. BENEE plays Kirsten, who works the counter at a pharmacy, is a wiz on the guitar and is Angus' only hope for making good on his music claims. That Ogilvie's narrative focuses on a journey sparked by exaggerating to fit in, then scrambling to back it up, is indicative of its warts-and-all honesty. There's warmth to Head South, yet it's also deeply bittersweet as it balances Angus and Kirsten's growing connection, and the former's quest to truly find himself amid his self-doubts — plus "all these cute characters vibing around Christchurch", as BENEE puts it — with more than a few people taking advantage of Angus, the awkwardness with his father (Marton Csokas, Cuckoo) at home after his mother has moved out and navigating a tragedy. In Head South's performances, emotions, personal ties, portrait of a moment in music history in a specific city, soundtrack and aesthetic — scratches and splices among the visuals included — Ogilvie pushes authenticity to the fore. Much about that commitment appealed to both Bennett and Oxenbould; this isn't the kind of project that comes either of their ways often. "You don't see these type of things every day, and that's what immediately jumped out about it, was the quality of it, how unique it was. It was something that I knew nothing about, which is always exciting as an actor, to dive into a different world. And the fact that it was personal and true adds a whole new gravity and weight to it, which makes it really exciting. There was so much about it that was so interesting and tantalising as an idea," Oxenbould says. Among the pair, Oxenbould was the veteran on-screen, but Bennett had the music experience. Drawing upon each other's expertise was a key part of the production for both. We also chatted with the duo about being about to lean on each other, the weight of making a film that's so personal for its guiding force — and, as Oxenbould characterises it, "such a unique mix of genres" — as well as music research and more. On How BENEE Knew That Head South Was the Right Film for Her Movie Debut Stella: "I think when I initially got sent the script and story, I was obviously like 'okay, this is sick'. This is set in Christchurch, in the post-punk scene, which I honestly didn't know a lot about when I first got sent it. And then I read the script and I learned about Kirsten, and I was pretty attached to her quite early on — because I was like 'oh, there's something so vulnerable and sweet and kind of damaged and quirky about this character'. And I just instantly fell in love with the whole story. It just felt right. And also Jonathan was so nice. He was so enthusiastic from the get-go. And I was like 'he believes in me, and I'm so down to be a part of this'. I've always wanted to be in a film. And I love acting. It's a lot of fun. And it's fun to just be a different character, because I feel like my whole thing is BENEE and it's more myself — but performing, but myself. So it was cool to just completely take a different role. I want to be in a horror movie next. I want to be every different kind of character." On Whether It's Daunting Making a Project That's So Personal for Its Director — Including, for Oxenbould, Playing a Version of Ogilvie Ed: "100 percent. It's very daunting. Look, it's good. Thankfully, it was really good that Jonathan wasn't like 'you have to get me word-perfect'. It was so relaxed, and he knew that it was just a basis. And there were things that he changed and stretched in his story, so we found a really good middle ground of character and real life. But it is always daunting, knowing that these things happened to him. It adds to it — it's not just like 'ooh, how would I react?'. There was a lot of me asking him 'how did you react? How did you feel here? How can I try to bring some of that authenticity and truthfulness to that?'. But it is definitely daunting." Stella: "It definitely was. And even I remember that last scene, I feel like I got — as you got — pretty emotional, because I was like 'damn, he went through this and we're just acting this out right now in front of him', and 'what a crazy thing to experience in life' and to do it justice, basically." Ed: "Yeah, that's it. But it is surreal. Like you're saying, Stella, it's kind of weird to think 'ohh, we're acting out this crazy pivotal moment in Jonathan's life'." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "And he's watching, and there's a whole crew watching." Stella: "You did a great job, mate. You did a great job." Ed: "Thank you. You too." On the Balancing Act of Navigating the Movie's Mix of Comedy, Darkness, Coming-of-Age Antics, Awkwardness and Heartbreak Ed: "It definitely is, but I think it comes down to Jonathan's great sense of direction — that he knew when to reel it in, he knew when to accentuate it. But I think that's also what read in the script, is the sense of humour, and all these gags that were in it that made it really fun and light. And it's also that really nice, quirky, very Kiwi sense of humour, which also just sets it apart from so many other things. But I think he just did such a good job with, on the day and in editing, just really finding that balance of heart and extremities of both sides." Stella: "Definitely. There's so much depth. And like, yeah, you were laughing — like I was hysterically laughing at times —and then other times I'm like 'well, this is dark and kind of twisted' or 'this is really sad'. I feel like that's what I want out of every movie. I want it to make me feel a bunch of things — and then I come out of it, and I feel a little bit hurt, but I also feel kind of hopeful." On the Research Required for a Film Set in the Late 70s, in the Post-Punk Music Scene, Telling a Very Specific Slice of Christchurch Life Ed: "For me, so much of the film is about these experiences that Angus goes through and he's extremely unprepared for them, and he kind of gets taken off his feet. So I had an element of that, of wanting to be a little bit carried away and swept up by the music and by everything. But I think in basic preparation, it was just a lot of looking at a lot of reference material; listening to the music; listening to what came before, what came after, what came during; and just to try to build the scene in your head — so that we were really well-versed in just that world, so that we could do our jobs truthfully and as close as possible to how these people lived and sounded and acted." Stella: "Yeah, totally. And for me, I think what was really helpful was just sitting down with Jonathan and hearing everything that he has to say about that era, and what it was like for him being in a band — because it is so different to how it is now, and making music and releasing and recording music. And he's so passionate about it because he's not only a director but also musician. So just learning from him, and then feeling prepared by that. He was like an encyclopaedia, for real — a thesis." On How BENEE's Music Experience Helped Her Make the Leap to Her First Movie Stella: "Maybe for the performance at the end. That was really fun. But also, I feel like music is my life, so it felt quite comfortable just doing this film because it was all about the music. And yeah, I think that in maybe some subtle ways that it did help me, maybe. I don't know how, but I think it did." On What Oxenbould Makes of His Journey of an Actor, From Starting Out as a Child to the Path That's Brought Him to Head South Ed: "That journey is bizarre. I've been so, so lucky, and I wouldn't change anything. I've met incredible people. I've made my strongest friends by doing it. It's given me access to a whole host of opportunities that are very, very fortunate. So I feel so lucky. But I don't know — I don't really know where it goes from here. I don't know if I hit my peak and now I've plateaued." Stella: "No, you have not." Ed: "Or I'm on a downward spiral. But it's good. It means everything to me. I'm so lucky, and I hope I can continue to do it for the rest of my life. And I'm excited to explore other areas of the industry. It was a fantastic way to learn and to grow up. I've picked up all these great things and it's made me who I am as a person. I'm very, very fortunate to the people who let me get away with all things I get away with." On What It Means to BENEE to Make Her Movie Debut in a Homegrown Film That's So Proud of Being From NZ, and with Such a Strong Connection to Music Stella: "It feels really special and authentic, and just like it was meant to be. It was just the universe being like 'girl, you're going to do this right now and it's going to be really cool'. And it feels really special that it is my home, and I am part of the music, and the music that shapes the music from Christchurch. That made no sense." Ed: "I got it." Stella: "Did you get that? But it does feel pretty special. I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other role. And also just the people, it was so nice. I don't have any other experience of working with actors or directors from America or anything, so it was pretty special that it was on this Kiwi-Aussie bus. Everyone just gets it and is super down to earth and very chill. So it was a great environment to be in, especially as a first-timer, I would say." On Being Able to Lean on Each Other While Making the Film Ed: "100 percent. It's that beautiful acting thing where you just bounce off each other, and you don't realise it but you learn so much from other people. And then by the end you're like 'ohh, thank you'. And it's not this explicit 'let me help you, ;et me sit you down, Buster'." Stella: "No, no." Ed: "You just absorb." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "It was great." Stella: "It was a lot of fun. It makes it easier, I guess, just being able to vibe with who you're working with in any field — but especially because Ed is so good. I was like 'okay, I'm taking notes and I'm learning, and I'm going to get better at this'. So it was a pretty awesome experience." Ed: "Watching you just perform and on stage — okay, that's how you do it." Stella: "No! I was literally faking the guitar. It was insane. I was learning how to play bass — oh wait, no I wasn't, I was actually playing guitar." On What Oxenbould Looks for in an Australian or New Zealand Project — and What's Special About Working Down Under After His Success Overseas Ed: "It just means a lot more. It's a lot nicer to be talking in your own accent, and talking to people that you know. and you're in a familiar land. It just feels better. It feels nice. It means you can stay and you can work and still live with family. When you work over there, you have to kind of give up — at least I have to give up everything to go over there. But working in Australia, I love. And then working in New Zealand was an honour. I love, love, love, love New Zealand. I love Kiwis. And I was the only Aussie." Stella: "You were." Ed: "I was only one in the cast. I think the only one on the crew. So I was very intimidated." Stella: "New Zealand loves you." Ed: "But you felt very welcomed, and I was very happy. And it meant a lot that that Jonathan trusted me to be the lead of this very distinctly Kiwi film — to get a traitor in the mix." Stella: "No! No. You made peace, bro." On What BENEE and Oxenbould Learned From Making Head South Ed: "You learn so much from every project and every film, which is the best part about it — you just pick up so much from the people, from around you. But I think the main thing that I learned was just about the punk scene. It's just awesome to dive into a whole new topic. And it's not something that I ever would have probably researched or probably would have sought out a lot of information, but then having Jonathan, having this crazy, knowledgeable guy who's just always there and able to fill us in on the gaps of history, it was just great. You walk away learning a lot more about these real institutions that have shaped the music industry here and in New Zealand." Stella: "Totally." Head South opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, April 3, 2025 — and is available to stream in New Zealand via Arovision.
Right now 3D printing is best known for its fun applications, such as making action figures of yourself or of your foetuses. But 3D printing is also a technology that's hugely useful and has the potential to reshape many industries. Somewhere in between is the 'Landscape House', the first 3D printed house, to be built in 2014. The house, by Janjaap Ruijssenaars of Dutch architecture studio Universe Architecture, has a two-storey design in the form of a single, flowing Mobius band. The architect worked with mathematician and artist Rinus Roelofs to develop the design, which will be printed in pieces and then assembled (ruining our daydream of a giant, multi-storey printer that spits out houses existing somewhere in the world). The Landscape House is part of the Europan competition, which gives 15 architects 15 blocks of land and two years to create something impressive with. Via 3ders. Images from Universe Architecture. Read more about 3D printing in our interview with The Beehive.
Maybe Frank opened its second Sydney outpost in Randwick last November, bringing a little piece of Surry Hills to the east. Run by owner and manager Stefano Catino, the restaurant is a slick intermingling of Italian cuisine, specialty cocktails and a crew brimming with Mediterranean warmth and joviality. The Perouse Road pizza bar has adopted award-winning cocktail whip Andrea Gualdi (who won Australian World Class Bartender of the Year in 2017) as bar manager. Check out the drinks list — it's a collection of the restaurant's most popular requests, traversing sweet and savoury. Begin with the drinkable, perfectly tart Papi Chulo ($21) which combines rum, yuzu and Pedro Ximénez over hand-cut ice. They've also jumped on the skin-contact horse, offering a flavourful 2012 Trebbiano Tuscan natural orange wine ($15) with an apricot finish. There's a proud antipasti list, with highlights such as the calamari ($16) — lightly battered, firm-but-tender tubes with thinly-sliced veggies on the side — and the polpo ($19) octopus marinated for eight hours in oregano, bay leaves and pepper, and plated with potatoes and celery. While it doesn't have fresh-outta-the-water flavour, you'll like it if you prefer your octopus tender and slow-cooked. Other eye-catching antipasti include the eggplant and mozzarella arancini ($14) and the buffalo burrata with Sicilian caponata($18). The pizza menu is split into bianche and rossi (cheese-based and tomato sauce-based). It's for good reason: the toppings are carefully selected by pizzaiolo Lucio Cobino to match their foundation. The crown jewel of the bianche is the Alba ($26) with fior di latte, Italian sausage, truffle pecorino, rosemary and cherry tomatoes. If you're after a tomato base, the gamberi e menta ($27) with prawns, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and mint is a hit — the mint adds another layer of flavour to the sweet and slightly salty slices. If you prefer your pizza folded, look to one of the four calzone (all dripping with melty mozzarella). There's pasta too: the gnocchi ($28) with hazelnut and stracciatella and fettucine ($31) with pistachio pesto and prawn tartare both come recommended. Maybe Frank is versatile. You can relax in the quiet courtyard surrounded by herbs used in-house, sit at the bar until late drinking natural wine or head in on Tuesdays for all-you-can-eat pizza. And with its award-winning cocktail list, it's more than a run-of-the-mill suburban Italian restaurant.
Winter might be dialling up the chill, but that doesn't mean things are starting to slow down. Across New South Wales regional hubs are stepping it up, with a packed lineup of events to keep locals and visitors alike buzzing through the cooler months. This month, the Central Coast is getting in on the action, serving up a fresh run of festivals and events that'll have you planning your next trip before the week's out. The Central Coast is an easily accessible day trip or weekend destination for Sydneysiders. The towns along the coast are peaceful enough to not feel overcrowded, yet lively enough to ensure there is always something new to see or do. We've rounded up some of the can't-miss events happening on the Central Coast this winter, so you can add them to your itinerary for your next drive up north.
The meat's in the oven, the pavlova's ready to decorate and the Christmas carols are cranked. All that's left to do is take a load off with a drink of choice. This year, that might be Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin, with the much-loved distillery bringing back this limited-edition release for another festive season. Conceived as holiday spirit distilled in a bottle, this tipple combines all flavours and notes you'd normally taste in a classic Christmas pudding. That means warm spices and dried fruit like nutmeg, sultanas and citrus peel alongside pine-like juniper, cassia and star anise. The result? Gin that has that familiar botanical scent, but tastes like Christmas. Now on its tenth annual release, the inspiration for Four Pillars' Christmas Gin involves more than just the mere arrival of the holiday season. Instead, Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie wanted to replicate his late mother Wilma's Derby Day tradition. With the family listening to the races, she'd whip up a Christmas pudding, with its warming scent taking over the entire house. To make each release even more special, Four Pillars teams up with a different artist every year, asking them to produce a brand-new label that reflects what an Aussie Christmas means to them. For this merry season, 2021 label artist and 2023 Archibald Packing Room prize winner, Andrea Huelin, has composed a piece incorporating elements from every past release. "Who would've thought ten years ago that Australian Christmas Gin would still be the gift that keeps on giving? This recipe is one we'll be passing down for generations to come, and all thanks to Wilma and Cam," says Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse. Alongside complementary stocking stuffers like jars of gin and orange relish and Christmas gin puddings, Four Pillars has also revealed four jolly cocktails in collaboration with award-winning bartender Nick Tesar. From Gin & Ginger to Strawberry Smash, these easy-to-make concoctions will make listening to your odd uncle's ravings a little more bearable. Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin is now available online and from select bottle shops. Head to the website for more information.
You get the best of both worlds with fan favourites LANEIGE and Frank Green joining forces to redefine self-care on the go. The beauty and hydration powerhouses are officially launching a one-of-a-kind innovation: a glossy 34oz Frank Green ceramic reusable bottle with a detachable lip gloss holder — complete with a full-size LANEIGE Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum. This limited-edition release marks the next evolution of water bottles, and is available in three shades inspired by LANEIGE's viral lip serums. Each bottle mirrors the same high-shine finish of the raved gloss. The launch also debuts Frank Green's brand-new accessory, a sleek clip-on lip gloss holder, designed to keep hydration and beauty essentials in one place. The drop caters to the rise of luxury drinkware and the craze for lip oils. "We saw the perfect opportunity to create a bespoke product that ensures our community stays hydrated and glowing all day long — inside and out," says Frank Green founder and CEO, Ben Young. The limited-edition set includes a glossy 34oz Frank Green ceramic reusable bottle paired with a matching detachable lip gloss holder, designed for both function and style. Each bottle comes with a full-size LANEIGE' Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum in the coordinating shade, creating a cohesive beauty-and-hydration essential that celebrates the viral lip gloss finish fans love. Launching on October 28, 2025, the collection will be available in three shades — Sugar Glaze, Peach Glaze, and Cinnamon Sugar — and will be sold exclusively through Frank Green and LANEIGE's official websites, as well as select retail partners. This is hydration with main character energy, and it's guaranteed to sell out fast. Shop the LANEIGE x Frank Green collab. Images: Supplied.
You're busy, we get it. You've got work to do, friends to see, grandparents to call and a pile of dirty clothes which won't wash itself. Sounds like you are in need of a refresh, my friend. And, no, that doesn't mean you have to find a new job, give up lactose or join the F45 cult — nothing that drastic. All it takes is a few little changes — some minor tweaks — and you can get a whole lot more out of your week. We've put our heads together with our mates at Coopers Dry to bring you seven easy wins to help get you inspired and feeling great all week long. [caption id="attachment_593141" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Emily Davies.[/caption] MONDAY: EAT YOUR LUNCH AT A PARK After spending all morning staring at a screen, eating your lunch al desko can be downright depressing, or, if you get crumbs all over your keyboard, totally infuriating. With spring now in full swing, why not bundle up your tucker and take it to the park. Trust us, even a sad sandwich tastes better in the sun. Not only will you get a good dose of vitamin D, but taking the lunchbox away from the inbox can do a world of good for your mental health, helping you stay happy and productive all afternoon. If you're super keen, pack a blanket, cutlery and a thermos of iced tea and have a legit picnic — it'll feel like you're on a mini-holiday from work and that's a massive win. TUESDAY: BAKE SOME COOKIES Are you looking to win friends and influence people? Forget reading that self-help book, bake cookies instead. An offering of soft-centred biscuits can be a great way to fast track your relationships, whether it's with new colleagues, disgruntled housemates or noise-complaining neighbours. Just a simple plate of chocolate-studded rounds can convey a range of sentiments, from "sorry for downloading that virus on your computer" to "thanks for not shutting down my 3am kick ons". As well as filling the home with delicious vanilla and choc smells, an evening of baking can be highly therapeutic after a long day at work. As can eating the raw dough, a very easy win. WEDNESDAY: MISS YOUR TRAIN ON PURPOSE While it may ensure you get your toe in the door exactly on time, catching the 8.13am train to work can make for a pretty stressful start to the day. Lengthy queues, crowded platforms and people encroaching on personal space is enough to put anyone in a snarky mood. Instead, try switching up your commute and catch a less-packed earlier or later service. Not only will you score a seat for your troubles, but you'll also have a quicker trip. And, depending on what time you hop on, it'll be cheaper, too. Opal, myki and Go cards all offer off-peak discounts. THURSDAY: ENJOY BREAKFAST IN BED Who said breakfast in bed was just for loved-up couples or mums on Mother's Day — we can all get in on the action. Instead of sitting in the kitchen like a schmuck, take that fresh fruit salad back to your kingdom of cushions for the horizontal brekkie that you know you deserve. You don't need an excuse. It doesn't have to be a special occasion (Thursday is good enough) nor an elaborate breakfast, in fact, it might be a little easier on the sheets if you go for a vegemite toast rather than full-on egg soldiers. And, as a pleasant side effect, you might even find it's easier to get up in the morning knowing that there's always the possibility to get back in. FRIDAY: HOST A MOVIE MARATHON Need to unwind after an exhausting week? Nothing says complete and utter relaxation like a movie marathon. While you could always head out to a ticketed showing, what's even easier and cheaper is to host one yourself. Not only have you got the obvious trackie pants advantage, but you also get to choose what you watch or don't watch. That means you can enjoy all of the Star Wars films sans The Phantom Menace because no one needs to sit through that — pick and choose as you please. We suggest whipping out some classics, like Home Alone, Independence Day (trust us) or The Breakfast Club because everybody loves a bit of cheese. SATURDAY: THROW A POTLUCK PARTY Dinner parties are magnificent things. There's nothing more glorious than tucking into a homemade meal with friends, exchanging stories through mouthfuls of mash and enjoying ice-cold beers straight from the fridge. What's not so great is crafting the dinner party menu, shopping and paying for the ingredients, then spending your day cooking like crazy until you're too stressed out to enjoy your own flambéed crepes. To share the love (and cooking load), host a potluck dinner party, where everyone contributes a dish. It's a great way to experience a whole bunch of different cuisines and cooking styles. Just grab a case of beers, and you're all set. SUNDAY: DO A SPRING CLEAN No more excuses, it's time for a good old fashioned spring clean. Not only will you find a multitude of long-lost chargers, but you might even find your sanity along the way — you'll be surprised how truly free you will feel after untangling those cables. If you can't decide whether or not to keep those ski pants that've been collecting dust for the past five years, consider the KonMari method: hold the item close to you and ask, "does this spark joy in my heart?". It's a surefire way to get rid of any unnecessary items (which you should then take to a charity shop). Having a cold hard look at your hoarding habits might just inspire you to start consuming a little more responsibly, which is always a good thing. Pro tip: if you need a little bit of motivation, it never hurts to get your best four-legged friend involved. It's a proven fact that pooches help calm the nerves. So when it all seems a bit overwhelming, pause for some pats and break it down area by area. Kick off your 'easy wins' by enjoying a Coopers Dry, or two, with your mates.
If you're looking for another reason to be proud of this wide, brown land that we call Australia, have you considered becoming a huge fan of our indie games scene? Like our musicians who grace festival stages overseas, and movies that go gangbusters at foreign box offices, Aussie-made indies regularly take the internet by storm and garner awards around the world. With increased development funding from state and federal governments, the future is looking bright for Australian games. But there are already a bunch of bangers you can download and play today — like the five below. UNPACKING Who would've thought that one of the most arduous personal tasks that you can undertake would turn out to be such great fodder for a game? Developed by Brisbane-based studio Witch Beam, Unpacking puts you in the shoes of a woman as she opens unmarked boxes and distributes her belongings throughout the various spaces that she moves into over the course of her life, starting with her childhood bedroom and carrying through university dorms, sharehouses and more. It's immensely satisfying gameplay, with enough of a puzzle element to add rewarding "aha!" moments throughout. Despite having no dialogue and very little text, Unpacking is rich with a narrative borne through details, from the items that stay with its character over the course of her life to the limitations you encounter when trying to fit yourself into certain living situations. And, without giving too much away, there is a twist at the end of moving into your boyfriend's apartment that will send your emotions skyrocketing. Available on: PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/S/X, Playstation 4/5, iOS, Android. UNTITLED GOOSE GAME There's no more succinct way to sum up Untitled Goose Game than the opening line of the description written by Melbourne-based developers House House: "it is a lovely morning in the village, and you are a horrible goose". As you might have guessed, this game sees you controlling a feathered menace whose sole purpose is to sow gentle chaos throughout a quintessential small English town. Each area has a checklist of broad objectives — from stealing a farmer's keys to trapping a small boy in a phone booth — and it's up to you to figure out how they can be achieved by honking, flapping, waddling around and generally being a mischievous little shit. With graphics that could've come straight from a children's book and a soundtrack based on Debussy's Preludes that reacts to what you do in the game, it's an experience both refined and hilarious — and, thanks to a multiplayer update, you and a friend can live out your avian scamp dreams together. Available on: PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/S/X, Playstation 4/5. HOLLOW KNIGHT Metroidvania is a genre with almost four decades of history behind it — the name springs from Metroid and Castlevania, which both debuted in the 80s — so for a modern iteration to be considered a masterpiece, it has to come correct. Hollow Knight, developed by Adelaide's Team Cherry, satisfies that requirement. Set in an underground insect kingdom decimated by a supernatural plague, you play as the Knight, a little sword-wielding bug who must descend into the gloomy ruins to discover what happened, as well as the part you play in what comes next. With tight, frenetic combat, brutal boss battles, compelling exploration, a stirring soundtrack and gorgeous, moody visuals, it's a game that will command your attention for a long time. Sequel Silksong is tantalisingly just over the horizon, so there's never been a better time to start your descent into Hallownest. Available on: PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/S/X, Playstation 4/5. THE FROG DETECTIVE TRILOGY The intersection of the Venn diagram of 'crime' and 'wholesome' is razor slim, but sitting dead in the centre is the Frog Detective trilogy, developed by Worm Club out of Melbourne. As the name suggests, you're Frog Detective — the second-best detective around, in fact — and, over the course of three cases, you tackle a potential ghost, an invisible wizard and a hat thief, conducting your investigations in first person with the help of your trust magnifying glass and notebook. The blocky, bright polygonal art is both retro and adorable, and your interactions with the various characters that inhabit each game are relentlessly charming. It's not the most taxing game in terms of puzzles — you'll mostly be finding objects and giving them to the right person — but that makes the Frog Detective series the perfect entry-level games to enjoy with kids. Of course, if you're an adult that loves cute and funny experiences, it's perfect for you too. Available on: PC/Mac. THE ARTFUL ESCAPE We've all had dreams of becoming a rock star. In The Artful Escape by Melbourne's Beethoven & Dinosaur, you can live out this fantasy on a cosmic scale. The game sees you controlling Francis Vendetti, the teenage nephew of a deceased folk music legend who is about to make his debut performing his uncle's songs. The only problem: he doesn't want to simply strum, he wants to wail. A chance encounter sends him out into the universe to overcome his doubts and find his true artistic self, the details of which are in your hands. It features a star-studded voice cast (Rocky's Carl Weathers, Wes Anderson favourite Jason Schwartzman, Kingsman's Mark Strong and Game of Thrones' Lena Headey all lend their talents), plus a story that balances heartfelt and hilarious deftly. On the gameplay front, it tends towards simplicity, with basic platforming and Simon Says-esque button prompts forming the bulk of the experience; however, it more than makes up for this with a eye-wateringly psychedelic visual spectacle and a button dedicated to searing guitar solos. Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/S/X, Playstation 4/5.
Do you feel like you've tucked into a meal and knocked back beverages at every place there is in Sydney? Even with new restaurants and bars opening around the city, it can be easy to stick to your comfort zone, heading to the same suburbs again and again. That's why, when you next want to shake up your routine, you should consider hitting up North Sydney — even if you are a local. Located right by the harbour, North Sydney is a buzzing spot any day of the week. Of course, it's where a lot of people work a nine-to-five. But, more excitingly, it also has a bunch of places to eat and drink in — all within a short reach to transport, too. Keen on a brioche brekky jaffle? A Japanese-style hotpot? Or, what about a cocktail in a leafy rooftop bar? They're just three options on the menu — and three reasons that the area isn't just for residents and workers. That's why we've teamed up with retail, office and dining destination Northpoint to highlight eight cafes, restaurants and bars to add to your must-visit list — from your first cup of joe right through to post-work pints. LOBBY BOY One thing North Sydney isn't shy of is good coffee. Open since 2019, Lobby Boy — in Northpoint's lobby, naturally — is the latest venture from the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria, so you know you're going to get A-grade beans here. If you're after food first thing in the morning, the brekky bun stuffed with maple-glazed bacon, fried egg and roasted tomato is hard to beat. However, if you're here for lunch the spiced buttermilk chicken burger, squid ink spaghetti with blue swimmer crab and the schnitzel with mushroom and peanut butter sauce are also excellent options. It's a warm and relaxed space, designed to act as a chilled-out meeting place for the buzzing Miller Street office block above, as well as a great spot for a coffee catch-up with your mate who lives this side of the bridge. CADENZA FLORAL CAFE Just a ten-minute stroll from North Sydney Station, Cadenza Floral Cafe was once a preserved flower store (hence the name). The space now serves up OTT Korean brunch fare, but it has kept the look and feel of its past occupant — think flower-lined, pink and turquoise walls, plus plush velvet pink chairs. Food-wise, a High Rise is a nifty option if you're indecisive. You'll get a few dishes stacked up like the finest high tea, including french toast or belgian waffles and a brown rice bowl of either bulgogi beef or grilled prawns and crab meat. Kimchi fried rice, sweet potato noodles and fried chicken burgers also feature on the menu. [caption id="attachment_724905" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt for Buffet Digital[/caption] GLORY DAYS If it's great coffee and quality lunchtime feeds that you're after — with a focus on health-conscious bites and sustainably minded local suppliers, too — add Glory Days to your list. Run by south coast hospitality guru Aaron Crinis (Diggies Cafe, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen), it serves up cups of joe courtesy of Mecca, the obvious from Brooklyn Boy Bagels and Brickfields' pastries and sourdough. From the drinks menu, you can also opt for Tea Craft teas, Prana chai and Kombu kombucha (in ginger and lemon myrtle or raspberry and thyme flavours). Or, our pick: hot chocolates by Melbourne's Mörk, including one made with cacao, cayenne pepper and almond milk. HAWKERS VILLAGE Sometimes, a big bowl of ramen calls your name; however, as much as you're keen on soupy Japanese noodles, you'd also like some pad thai and roti, too. Yes, your tastebuds are hankering for a culinary journey that you can't often get in one place. Lucky for you, Hawkers Village inside Northpoint's Eat Street can take you on that trip. Set up much like a Southeast Asian street food market, the food court spot has different kitchens each focusing on a particular cuisine. So, there's no need to commit yourself to just one dish on your lunch break. Hawkers Village is also a great go-to if you're after a quick meal with mates. Say, you're keen on a curry but your bestie is after some nasi lemak, head here and you don't need to argue over who wins out. OMOTESANDO Sure, travel plans to Japan have been put on hold, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the country's culinary delights. For now, Omotesando — Northpoint's newest dining addition — can take your tastebuds there, no plane ticket required. The Tokyo-inspired spot serves up sake and umeshu cocktails galore as well as a heap of tasty dishes. Keen to tuck into a yakiniku feast of grilled wagyu? Yep, you can get it here. It also has shabu shabu, so get ready for a Japanese-style hotpot. Or, you can pick between izakaya-style snacks like dry-curry karaage chicken, gyoza, takoyaki and more. GREEN MOUSTACHE Filling a bar with greenery has multiple benefits. Firstly, all that plant life is nice to look at. Secondly, it makes patrons feel as if they're miles away — even when they're right in the heart of North Sydney's buzzing city centre. That's what Green Moustache, Northpoint's rooftop watering hole, delivers. Well, that and an all-day menu from chef Peter Fitzsimmons (Chin Chin). Gnocchi with hand-picked blue swimmer crab, chilli and lemon and pumpkin katsu curry are among the highlights, but Tuesday afternoon's $1.50 oysters and the bottomless brunch on weekends should also whet your appetite. Then, order you and your crew a round of top-notch tipples. The drinks list is by way of sommelier Jake Johnson (Pony Dining Group). If you're after a cocktail, we recommend the Clover Club. [caption id="attachment_714286" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Samantha Teague[/caption] RYO'S NOODLES You'll find the much-loved Ryo's Noodles hiding away in Crows Nest, on the border of North Sydney. The moment you step inside the ramen house, you'll feel as if you're in Japan. The butcher's paper decorated with kanji that adorns the walls helps, as do the lucky cats scattered around the place. This little slice of Tokyo serves up ramen as it should be: packed with flavour and in huge bowls, which, yes, you'll struggle to make it all the way through. There are a number of pork and chicken broths on offer; however, Ryo's number 8 — ramen in spicy hot flavoured chicken soup with roast pork, egg and shallots — is famous for a reason. RAG & FAMISH HOTEL You might've heard the Rag & Famish Hotel referred to as North Sydney's old-school pub, which isn't an exaggeration. A hotel has been on the site since 1860, so it's the oldest pub in the suburb that's still trading after a whopping 160 years. Since the 1970s, it's been run by the same family, too, but, thankfully, it's seen a revamp or two in its time. A favourite for live sports fans, it screens everything from cricket and basketball to whichever football code is in season. It also hosts weekly trivia nights, live tunes, roasts on Sundays and $15 dinner specials. It's also just a quick stroll to the train station, making it a good meeting spot — whether you're after a post-work brew, a classic pub feed mid-week dinner or a weekend session with the crew. For more information about North Sydney's Northpoint, head to its website and Instagram feed. Top image: Green Moustache
Cashed-up visitors to the Gold Coast will soon have a new upmarket place to stay, and the southeast Queensland getaway destination will score some more bragging rights in the process. In 2027, the Glitter Strip is already set to welcome the first Aussie outpost from luxury brand St Regis. Now, in the same year, it'll become home to Marriott International's debut Luxury Collection resort on the country's mainland as well. The Marriott International hotel chain is behind St Regis, too, plus The Ritz-Carlton, which will open its third Aussie location on the Gold Coast in 2026. Accordingly, it's set to be a huge few years for the brand Down Under, adding the Marina Mirage Gold Coast to its existing JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa and Sheraton Grand Mirage Gold Coast in the city. If your bank balance allows, your future holiday plans will also benefit. Boasting 110 spots to slumber around the globe, The Luxury Collection made its local premiere with The Tasman in Hobart back in 2021, and also spans everywhere from the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Prince de Galles in Paris to the Suiran in Kyoto. The Gold Coast's addition to the list will feature 122 rooms as part of the new precinct planned for the site of the existing Marina Mirage on The Spit, transforming Seaworld Drive. As part of their stay, guests can get excited about hanging out at the rooftop bar and pool, eating a meal at the signature restaurant and chasing bliss at the day spa. There'll also be a jacuzzi, wellness and beauty centre, garden, and function and event spaces. Exactly what each will entail — menu items, cuisine styles, relaxing treatments and the like — hasn't yet been revealed. Marriott International Inc is working with Makris Group on the Marina Mirage Gold Coast, with the family-owned company owning the site since 2013. The full resort-style overhaul of the Marina Mirage will also include a new marina, restaurants and shops, and both villas and residences. "The reimagination of the iconic Marina Mirage precinct presents an inspiring opportunity to expand our luxury footprint on the Gold Coast — a market we know very well, after more than 35 years' experience operating the city's two leading resorts under our JW Marriott and Sheraton brands," said Richard Crawford, Vice President of Hotel Development for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International. "The destination's resilience during and post-pandemic has been remarkable, and we are very confident that proven demand for high-quality hotel experiences will be a strong foundation for the success of our first Luxury Collection property on mainland Australia." Find the Marina Mirage Gold Coast on Seaworld Drive, Main Beach from sometime in 2027 — keep an eye on the Marriott International website for further details in the interim.
It was inevitable. They've done Seinfeld, Friends, Harry Potter and The Simpsons, and now Goodgod, specialists in esoteric pop culture trivia nights, are inviting you to brush up on your already highly detailed knowledge of the ladies of Litchfield for their first Orange Is the New Black trivia event. (If that means rewatching the whole series, so be it.) You knew all those intimate days in bed with your laptop spent hating on Vee, wringing your hands in exasperation waiting for Pornstache to get what was coming to him and crying over Poussey (don't click the link if you haven't seen season two — though if that's the case, get on it) would be put to good use one day. Hosted by Goodgod trivia regular Elisha May, it's free, it kicks off at 8pm and there are no bookings. If you're well acquainted with all the intricacies of the chicken plotline, and know why you should never, ever call Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' after season two, this is your chance at a glory akin to being voted into WAC (and food and drinks, no mouldy bologna in sight).
